BASKETBALL : Abraham Isn’t Ready for Season to End Yet

Gary Abraham started his first season as women’s basketball coach at Moorpark College with a team of nine freshmen, a tough nonconference schedule and modest aspirations. Like surviving to coach a second season.

His approach isn’t so low-key as the Raiders conclude the regular season today at 4:45 p.m. in a Western State Conference game against Cuesta at Moorpark.

Moorpark (16-10, 9-2 in conference) is in contention for one of six at-large berths to the 16-team Southern California regional playoffs. The field will be announced Sunday.

Abraham, however, is hoping for more than just an at-large berth. “I’m actually hoping to be seeded in the top eight so we can get a first-round playoff game at home,” he said.

Among the factors that could work in Moorpark’s favor toward that goal:

It is the only team to defeat Golden West (29-1), ranked No. 2 in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau.

It has defeated every team in the WSC with the exception of Ventura, which is ranked No. 10 in the state.

Should Moorpark wind up on the road in the first round of the playoffs, it will be prepared. The Raiders, ranked 18th in the state, played seven of 12 conference games away from home, and won four of five on a five-game road trip that ended with a 75-49 victory at Santa Barbara on Tuesday.