Golden West Forced to Trim Women’s Basketball Schedule

Golden West has canceled the nonconference portion of its women’s basketball schedule because of a lack of players on the roster, Golden West Athletic Director Tom Hermstad announced Wednesday.

Hermstad said one player signed up for the team at the beginning of the fall semester, giving the Rustlers a total of three on the roster, however, one of those is planning to play elsewhere.

“I’m very concerned and embarrassed,” Hermstad said. “I’m looking at myself as far as what I did wrong, and that’s what bothers me the most. I can’t believe it’s happening, but I’ve kind of seen it coming the last few weeks.”

Golden West becomes the second community college women’s basketball team in Orange County to cancel all or part of its season. Last summer, Saddleback announced it was suspending the program after several players transferred to another school, which left the Gauchos short-handed.

Hermstad said the school hopes to fill the roster in time for the opening of Orange Empire Conference play, Jan. 8.

“Under proper conditions, we could get along with seven, eight or nine people,” Hermstad said. “Ideally, we would like to have 11 or 12.”

In 1991, the Rustlers won the state championship with eight players on the roster.

Last season, Golden West finished 18-16 and was eliminated by Ventura in the second round of the Southern California playoffs.