Coach Ron Barba instructs lady cougars during the 2016-2017 season.
Photo courtesy of Ritchie Bermudez/Cuesta Marketing

By Holly Walsh
Staff Writer

The women’s basketball team, who made the 2015 CCCAA playoffs, are in search of new and experienced players for the upcoming 2017-18 season.

Coach Ron Barba of the women’s basketball team says the team has suffered a few loses due to player injuries and financial impact. The team is seeking dedicated players with high school experience to join in on the upcoming season.

Many of the team’s players who went to playoffs are returning, along with experienced recruits from around the area, according to Coach Barba.

“We have a pretty good nucleus coming back and I’d like to get those girls surrounded with new experienced players,” Coach Barba said.

The basketball team’s exhibition begins Sept. 16 and ends the Sept. 24. Practices start Oct. 2 and the first game of the season is Nov. 1 at Santa Clara for the Mission Tournament.

Women’s basketball tryouts are taken through a class which begins Oct. 2 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. These class times will also include practice and training hours.

The team has a competitive schedule and Barba says the season will be “a good learning process, if nothing else,” for new players.

Many of the team players are locals who had played on high school teams in San Luis Obispo County.

Coach Barba says that some of the kids that come from out of town don’t know about the opportunity to play on any of Cuesta’s sports teams.

Coach Barba had found out that a few kids on North County campus would’ve liked to play for the basketball team but couldn’t because of commute and financial reasons.

Coach Barba encourages interested players to contact him at (805) 714-0008 with any questions or concerns.