OCC opens tournament

Pirates, with two injured starters out, play host to Coast Christmas Classic today through Sunday.With 10 straight victories, an 11-1 record and the No. 7 ranking in Southern California, No. 10 in the state, the Orange Coast College women’s basketball team would appear to have it together.

But heading into the Pirates’ Coast Christmas Classic -- an eight-team tournament running today through Sunday -- OCC Coach Mike Thornton is unconvinced.

Due to a string of injuries, Thornton said the Pirates have not only failed to get it together this season, he wonders if they ever will.

“It could be one of those years were we never quite get it together,” said Thornton, whose confidence in his team hinges largely on the status of injured starters Laurie Denning and Jillian Ricks.

Denning, a 5-foot-4 freshman point guard averaging 8.3 points and 4.6 assists in nine games, is awaiting word on an MRI expected to reveal the extent of a knee injury that sidelined her earlier this month.

“She could be out two more weeks, or she could be out the rest of the season,” Thornton said.

Ricks, a 6-1 sophomore transfer from Weber State, is not expected to play this weekend while recovering from a blow to the face in last Friday’s win over Cerritos.

“Her dentist said it was one of the worst trauma things he has seen,” Thornton said.

“She got bashed in the face and basically had her teeth rearranged. She is wearing braces to hold her teeth together and they still don’t know if they can save them all. It’s possible that another blow could do even more damage, so her doctors might tell her not to play again this year.

“That’s 40% of our starting lineup, which could obviously make a big difference for us,” said Thornton, who added the Pirates have used their projected starting lineup in only two games this season.

“We’re fortunate to be 11-1,” said Thornton, whose Pirates play host to Chaffey (1-9) in tonight’s quarterfinal round at 7:30.

The Pirates have relied on improved depth and determined defense to stockpile victories, thus far. The team leads the state in scoring defense, allowing 48.1 points per contest.

Crystal McCormick, a 5-6 sophomore returner, leads the team with 11.8 points per contest. And sophomore returner Teeya Fernandez has helped fill the void at point guard left by Denning’s absence.

“Teeya has 11 turnovers in 12 games, so she is somebody you want with the ball in her hands,” Thornton said of the Cuesta Tournament MVP, who is averaging 4.3 points.

“But Laura is a little more of a scorer, who is quicker and can get the basket more often.”

Thornton said Madison Parks, a 6-3 sophomore averaging 8.5 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds, has been slowed by a torn meniscus.

The injury is particularly troublesome in tournaments, which require playing consecutive days.

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