Saddleback Looks to Double Up

The Saddleback College men’s and women’s basketball teams developed a strong sense of togetherness this season, thanks to a change in the Orange Empire Conference schedule.

Another schedule change will allow the camaraderie to continue at the state finals.

For the first time in conference history, men’s and women’s regular-season games were played back-to-back instead of at opposite sites on the same day. As a result, Saddleback players often came early or stayed late to cheer their counterparts.

Now, the men’s and women’s state tournaments will be at the same location--San Jose--for the first time.

The Saddleback women (29-0) play at 3 p.m. Thursday against Merced (27-4) in a quarterfinal game at San Jose College. The Gaucho men open against West Valley (29-2) in a quarterfinal at 6 p.m. Saturday at the San Jose State University Event Center.

The Saddleback women’s team, coached by Jack Single, is led by forwards Char-Ron Walker and Shanna Renken and guard Maureen Skehan. All three were All-Orange Empire Conference selections.

Walker, who already has signed with Arizona, is averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds. Renken, a freshman, averages 15 points and six rebounds. Skehan, a sophomore who ranks among the state’s top defenders, averages 13 points, four rebounds and five steals. She is the Gauchos’ all-time steal leader.

Merced is also strong up front with Christie Sanchez, who averages 18 points and a state-best 14.5 rebounds.

The Saddleback men’s team (27-5) was the seventh-seeded team in Southern California and upset second-seeded MiraCosta, 75-74, to advance to the final eight. The challenge will be even greater against West Valley, the No. 1 team from Northern California.

West Valley has the state’s top defense, giving up only 57 points a game. But Saddleback counters with sophomore guard Anthony Carter, who led the state in scoring at 27.3 points. He scored 31 and 34 in the last two playoff games. Carter also averages six assists, seven rebounds and three steals.

He was the two-time Orange Empire Conference player of the year and is in the running for Southern California player of the year.

Rod Beavers, a freshman forward who at 6 feet 6 is Saddleback’s tallest starter, averages 14 points and nine rebounds. Guard David Drakeford averages 12 points.