Bear Cubs set to open against a fast-paced and high pressure team, Cypress College, at the Merced Tournament November 12th. Santa Rosa will be looking to continue their momentum from last year's final game against Chabot College, who went on to win their first State Title. This year the Bear Cubs will be relying on speed and toughness with strong guard play and post players who will extend the floor. Going into their first game head coach Lacey Campbell is optimistic about their season ahead, "Our preseason is tough, but we like to get tested early on. The Big 8 is very competitive and we want to be ready to make a run at the Big 8 Championship." Getting ready for Cypress (1-0) will be no easy task as the Chargers look to make it a hurried game with full court pressure and up tempo offense. The Bear Cubs tip off the 2015-16 season at 5:00pm Thursday.
2015 Season Final Standings
4th Place Finish Big 8
2nd Round of Playoffs
15-15 Overall
8-6 Big 8
2014-2015 Season Highlights
The Bear Cubs (15-15, 8-6) completed a successful season, fighting a tough battle in the state's toughest league. They had an up and down November and December at five tournaments. Their best showing was at City College of San Francisco's tournament, where the Bear Cubs recorded a big win over the host team on their way to a second place finish.
The Bear Cubs began Big 8 Conference play against some of the best teams in the North, including State Final Four team San Joaquin Delta and #2 Ranked Diablo Valley. The Bear Cubs played a number of close games, and took then ranked #1 DVC into overtime only to fall 86-82.
The Bear Cubs made the playoffs again, this time as the 14 Seed, playing Merritt College in a home game the first round. Led by freshman Jenna Dunbar's 26 points, the Bear Cubs advanced to the second round to play #2 Chabot College. Underdogs on paper, Santa Rosa came out with fight and confidence. Within 4 points with 4 minutes to go, the Bear Cubs couldn't make the final push falling to the eventual State Champions 79-70. Sophomore guard Alicia Mehtlan played her best game as a Bear Cub with 29 points, including 12-12 from the free throw line.
Mehtlan and Dunbar were selected All Conference, while Mehtlan, Taylor Graham, Sarah Arteseros, and Brittney Rachuy were Academic All Conference.
2015-2016 Season Preview
In her 11th season as head coach, Lacey Campbell is looking for another strong showing from local players competing in the tough Big 8 Conference. The Bear Cubs have finished in the top four of the Big 8 the last 10 years, winning it four times. The Bear Cubs only return one starter in Jenna Dunbar (Mission Prep) but will have key players from last year's team stepping into starting roles--Brooke Santander (Casa Grande), Vai Thompson (Maria Carrillo) and Niambi Saint Louis (Montgomery). These sophomores will be leading a talented freshman group including Kylie Oden (Santa Rosa), Zaina Depina (St. Helena), and Melyra Nicolis (Maria Carrillo). Transfer Kerianne Noonen (Windsor) will be looking to contribute immediately as the point guard. Three redshirt freshman all will be asked to contribute to the team right away after learning the system last year, Hayley Louzao (Analy), Madison Barsuglia (Maria Carrillo), and Ashley Hart (Middletown). With a tough preseason and even tougher conference play, the Bear Cubs will be looking to compete with statewide competition.