Although eliminated in Round 2 of the SoCal Regionals on Saturday, the Pasadena City College women's basketball team can look back at a 2022-2023 season that saw the squad place second in the South Coast Conference North Division, set some program records, and successfully return to the postseason.
PCC made a 7-win improvement from a rough season in 2021-22 to finish 16-14, then won its first playoff game since 2019 v. San Diego Mesa. Lancers head coach Joe Peron set the all-time coaching wins mark in PCC Athletics history while center Tena Ikidi has the school's single-season rebounds record to herself, finishing with a state-high 468 boards.
Host Mt. San Antonio, the region's #3 seed and SCC North champions, downed the #19-seeded Lancers, 83-52. It was third time the schools met each other in the postseason with the Mounties previously defeating PCC in the state championship final in 2004 and in a Round 3 regional final in 2011.
In the defeat, Ikidi scored 15 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, made four steals and blocked three shots. Maiya Villanueva closed her PCC career with 12 points, giving her 633 in her career. That leaves her in 29th on the program's all-time scoring list. Emily Trinh and Naomi Turner added eight points each.
"We had some big moments, including beating San Diego Mesa in the first round of playoffs," Peron reflected on the season. "Tena broke the rebounds record and Maiya moved up the scoring charts. It was personally gratifying to become PCC's wins leader and have that happen on our home floor. We had a cohesive group that we can look back and say job well done this season. It's something to build on for next season."
Peron's postseason record now stands at 38-23 with 24 appearances in the SoCal Regionals in his 26 seasons directing the program. He was aided this season by assistant coaches Gary Potts and Rocky Moore.
ALL-SOUTH COAST CONFERENCE SELECTIONS
Four PCC players were named to the All-SCC North Division First and Second Team. Ikidi, who averaged 14.6 points and 15.4 rebounds, and Villanueva, who averaged 12.3 points and 3.1 assists, each were selected to the First Team.
Villanueva became a 2-time, First Team choice. Villanueva finished her PCC career with 142 baskets from 3-point range. Ikidi was one of the state's top shot blockers with 82.
Averaging 9 points and 1.9 steals a game, Turner, a forward, made the Second Team with freshman guard Sheridan Orange, who posted a 5.6 points per game mark, played strong defense and started 19 games. Turner led the Lancers in steals with 56. She totaled 475 points, 202 rebounds, 102 steals and 86 assists in her two seasons as a Lancer.
Click here for the entire 2023 All-SCC Team
Also closing their 2-year careers as Lancers were Trinh, who had 218 points, 251 rebounds and 48 steals as a defensive-minded forward, and center Tatiana Ayala, who totaled 223 points, 418 rebounds, 65 blocks, and 62 assists.
Of the freshmen, forward Bryannae Robinson was a standout off the bench who averaged 7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Another player who matured over the course of the season was guard Haylie Sagarra, who was a solid defender and averaged 2.3 points and 1.5 steals per contest. Frosh center Italee Montana also developed and saw minutes later in the season.
