KVOA

Posted: Oct 29, 2009 9:14 PM
Updated: Oct 29, 2009 9:19 PM

The West Oso girls are hoping for a return trip to the regional basketball tournament, but there are already some obstacles.

They've already lost their tallest player, Keara Lanehart, to a knee injury until mid-district at best. Head Coach Roy Williams admitted that losing Lanehart for the entire season was a possibility.

That would leave the Lady Bears with point guard Jasmine Roberson as the only starter returning from last year's 32-3 squad that lost to Hidalgo in the Region IV-3A final.

While returning starters maybe sparse, West Oso is not without experience. Their roster boasts nine seniors in all. Don't expect excuses from this group.

"We've got some heart and some runners on this team that's going to push it," Lady Bears guard Rafaela Alvarez said confidently.

Roberson and Williams agree.

"Yeah, we lost a little height, but we have speed. So, we're going to be good."

"Oh, it's going to start out with defense," Williams said with a smile. "We're going to continue to play the type of defense that we play and hope we can keep the scores down to where we can still be competitive. Our goals are still the same. The kids on the floor are just going to have to work and get there."