2011 Season Outlook:
Coming off a successful 27-5 season, which saw Foothill win a League Championship
and reach the Elite 8 for the 4th time in 5 years, the Owls will look to build on that
success this year. It will not be easy though with just returning 4 players from last
year's team.
Craig compliments her outstanding staff for the amazing turnaround of last year's
program following the significant drop off during the 2009-10 Season when Craig was
on sabbatical at the University of Arizona. "The addition of some key members to our
coaching staff allowed us to grow significantly over last season and we will need to
continue to do so again this year. With the outstanding staff and group of players
we have in our program, we have a chance to be extremely competitive again this season
and reach the level of success we are all accustomed to."
Craig is concerned however with the inexperience and maturity level of the team and
believes it will be the deciding factor in determining how deep a run the Owls can
make in this year's playoffs. "We will need some first year players to step up and
contribute right away this season and second year players to lead them in the right
direction . If we as a team understand the discipline and commitment level it takes
to be a champion... we could become one".
The Owls will open their season this year at home against DeAnza College, a team they
defeated in last year's playoff run. They then make the familiar trek to the Merced
Classic, a top level tournament featuring many of Nor Cal's perennial top teams
including San Joaquin Delta, Santa Rosa, Merced, and Fresno. Craig says she is "looking
forward to being tested early to find out right away where we stand". The Owls will then
play two single games at Consumnes River and at home against Ohlone over the Thanksgiving
weekend.
Foothill will then travel to College of Sequoias the first week in December to participate
in the 16 Team Tom Gilcrest Invitational where many of the top teams in the State,
including southern power houses Mt. San Antonio, Ventura, and Antelope Valley will
face off. The Owls are in 3 more tournaments in December beginning with the Caren
Franci Invitational in Santa Rosa, followed with the San Joaquin Delta Classic and
Foothill's own Pepsi Holiday Classic Dec 28, 29 and 30th. This year's field Holiday
tournament features, Foothill, Butte, Sierra, Shasta, Irvine Valley, Los Medanos,
College of Sequoias and San Mateo.
Coach Craig says she's looking forward to the challenging preseason schedule to ensure
that the Owls are ready for league play beginning in January.
Craig hopes this grueling schedule will prepare her team for the tough Coast Conference-North
season ahead of them. "As per usual the Coast-North is one of the strongest leagues
in the State, and we definitely have our work cut out for us if one of our goals is
to win another League Title in 2012."
Coach Jody Craig
c/o Athletic Department
Foothill College
12345 El Monte Rd.
Los Altos Hills, CA. 94022-4599
Phone: (650) 949-7356
email:
craigjody@fhda.edu
