Archives 2008-09

D'Angelo earns academic award

(10/21) Grossmont College Women's Basketball coach Karen Caires announced today that Sydney D'Angelo has been named CCCAA (Cal. Comm. College Athletic Association) Academic All State.

She is one of five recipients across the state.

She has a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.864 and will be a two year team captain.

PCC Standings

Gameday Audio Archive

Listen to archived play-by-play and interviews from select Griffin games during the 2008-2009 season. Click here to select a game.

Coach Caires' off-season update

(9/30) Grossmont head coach Karen Caires has been keeping her players busy preparing for the 2009-10 campaign. Coach recently checked in to update the team's progress, and her outlook for the upcoming season.

This Fall Semester began with a group of returners and new players ready to "go to work". The team finished second in the Pacific Coast Conference last year to Palomar and finished the season with a sour taste with a loss to Mira Costa.

The team has several sophomores and some mature Freshman who are back from the four year level and ready to burst on the scene. The team has been "up at dawn and diggin' in; and working hard so we can win!" - This has often times been their chant at workouts.

They are a close knit group and continue to push to get better. The website will soon be posting their roster, photos and bios - so stay tuned. Hope to see all you fans in December on the 28th at our Grossmont Tourney!

Go Griffins!
Coach Caires

LaKenya Simon-West Photo - Frank Gregorek

Simon-West to play for Cal Poly Pomona

(4/27/2009) Grossmont head coach Karen Caires has announced that LaKenya Simon-West has committed to Cal Poly Pomona and has received full funding to pursue her athletic and academic goals.

Simon-West will continue to represent the Green and Gold and will now be a Bronco.

Simon-West will be majoring in Kinesiology with the long-term goal of playing basketball overseas and then a career in physical therapy. She was a Pacific Coast Conference All Conference Player and was 15th in the State in scoring with 17.7 ppg and a season single high game of 34.

LaKenya Simon West Photo - Frank Gregorek

Ashley McWhorter Photo - Frank Gregorek

Michelle Gonzalez Photo - Frank Gregorek

Brittany Robinson Photo - Frank Gregorek

Four Griffins named All-Conference

(3/1) Grossmont's Head Coach Karen Caires was pleased to announce that four players from her 2008-09 roster were named to the PCC's All-Conference Team.

LaKenya Simon-West was a First-Team selection. The Sophomore guard was a transfer from the University of Idaho.

Simon-West was the Conference's second-leading scorer at 17.7 points per game.

She ranked fifth in three-point percentage (35%), 6th in free-throw percentage (74%), and 4th in steals (2.1).

Ashley McWhorter, Michelle Gonzalez, and Brittany Robinson were Honorable Mention selections.

McWhorter, a freshman forward was the conference's seventh leading scorer at 14 per night.

Gonzalez is a sophomore guard out of Grossmont High School.

She ranked third in the PCC in assists with 3.6 per game, and first in steals (2.8).

Robinson, a freshman forward out of Horizon High was a strong presence in the paint for Grossmont.

She ranked second in the PCC in rebounds per game at 10.2. She was 8th in assists with 2.5, and third in steals (2.4).

LaKenya Simon-West Photo - Frank Gregorek

Women making case for postseason, beat up on City

(2/14) The Griffins celebrated Valentine's Day by beating visiting San Diego City College 80-63.

Brittany Robinson recorded yet another double-double with 15 points and a game-best 13 rebounds.

Ashley McWhorter paced the Griffins (20-9, 10-2) with 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.

Sophomore LaKenya Simon-West had 17 points on the strength of five three-pointers.

Guard Michelle Gonzalez filled the stat sheet on Sophomore Night with 10 points, six assists, six steals, and five rebounds.

Natalia Del Bene Photo - Frank Gregorek

Griffins move into second, beat Southwestern

(1/25) The Grossmont women improved to 15-8 overall and moved into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Coast Conference with a 74-53 win over visiting Southwestern Saturday night.

Be sure to check out the audio archive of the action, including interviews with players and Head Coach Karen Caires.

LaKenya Simon-West was Grossmont's leading scorer with 25, including six three-pointers. Brittany Robinson filled the stat sheet with 11 points, 9 rebounds and four assists. Sydney D'Angelo was the other Griffin in double figures with 10 points on 6-for-7 free-throw shooting.

Kid's Day game this Saturday as women host Mesa

Mesa play-by-play audio

(1/15) This Saturday at Grossmont is Kid's Day as the women take on Mesa at 3pm.

All kids will be admitted to the game at no charge, and will receive free team posters. There will be face-painting and after the game the Griffins will be on hand to autograph the posters for all kids in attendance.

The game will be webcast live from Grossmont College as well.

Click the link above to listen to the play by play of the game, which tips off at 3.

Simon-West named Athlete of the Week

(1/5) The Pacific Coast Conference has honored Grossmont College basketball player LaKenya Simon-West as its Women's Athlete of the Week.

Simon-West, a 5-foot-9 sophomore guard from Grossmont High School and a transfer from the University of Idaho, scored 18 points, hauled down 10 rebounds and had four steals in a 67-63 loss to Mt. San Jacinto in the championship game of the 21st Annual Grossmont College Holiday Tournament.

Ashley McWhorter muscles in two of her 27 points. Photo - Frank Gregorek

Women fall to Butte on New Year's Eve

(12/31) The Griffin women hoped to ring in the New Year on a better note, but fell to visiting Butte College 72-78. Statistically, the Griffins outplayed Butte, hitting more field goals and free-throws, but it was Butte's nine three-pointers that were the difference.

Butte connected on nine-of-28 attempts (32%) to Grossmont's 5-of-25 (20%) to secure the margin of victory.

For Grossmont Ashley McWhorter had a monster game scoring 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting. The forward also added seven rebounds and four steals. LaKenya Simon-West added 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Grossmont women claim second in annual Holiday Tournament

Tiffany Klein takes to the air versus Bakersfield. Photo - Frank Gregorek

Scores:

Mon Dec 29th
Championship Game
Mt San Jacinto 67 - Grossmont 63

Third Place Game
Saddleback 51 - Compton 43

Consolation Championship Game
Citrus 94 - Reedley 69

Sunday Dec 28th
1PM: Citrus 94 - Mesa 31
3PM: Bakersfield 50 - Reedley 68
Semifinals:
5PM: MSJC 66 - Compton 53
7PM: Grossmont 59 - Saddleback 58

Sat Dec 27th
1PM: Mt. San Jacinto 61 - Citrus 60
3PM: Mesa 50 - Compton 78
5PM: Bakersfield 63 - Grossmont 77
7PM: Saddleback 64 - Reedley 60

All Tournament Team

McWhorter seals the deal

(12/2) Though she scored just six points in Grossmont's victory over visiting Fullerton forward Ashley McWhorther (right) saved her best for last.

Before an energized home crowd, Grossmont (3-3) kept pace with Fullerton, the number 12 rated team in Southern California then pulled away in the final seconds to secure the upset 61-60. The Griffins used a clutch team performance from the free-throw line, shooting 12-for-16 in the game.

The two squads sweated out an anxious final minute that saw the lead change hands three times. McWhorther shined during that stretch scoring Grossmont's final five points.

With the score knotted at 57 after a McWhorther free throw, Head Coach Karen Caires ran an isolation play for the forward and she answered the call with a turnaround jumper in the lane to take a 59-57 lead.

Fullerton then followed with a free throw and a fast break layup after the Grossmont defense lapsed to take a 60-59 advantage with just under 10 seconds remaining.

Inbounding the ball under their own basket, and faced with a length of the floor situation McWhorther was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass and rolled in the layup to take the decisive 61-60 lead with under six seconds to go.

Sophomore guard Michelle Gonzales then sealed the victory with a steal after Fullerton inbounded the ball attempting to go the length of the floor.

Gonzales scored 12 points, and LaKenya Simon-West had a team high17. Brittany Robinson had 12 points and a team high six rebounds in the winning effort.

Grossmont rolls up East LA

(11/19) East Los Angeles - The Griffins overcame serious foul trouble to drop East LA on the road Wednesday night, 81-70.

Grossmont (2-3) saw four starters foul out of the non-conference contest, yet still hung tough for the road victory.

Freshman Breanna Durant, a guard out of Madison High lead the charge with a team high 17 points. Sophomore guard LaKenya Simon-West and freshman center Ashley McWhorther pitched in 15 points apiece.

Grossmont returns home to face Fullerton Tuesday December 2nd at 6pm.

Griffins drop home opener

(11/12/2008) El Cajon - Grossmont dropped their first home game of the 2008-09 season to Mt San Jacinto 65-73. The Griffins took a 34-30 lead into halftime, but were outscored 43-31 in the second half to take the loss.

Newcomer LaKenya Simon-West paced the Griffins with 16 points and zero turnovers. Sophomore Michelle Gonzales had a team best 6 assists along with 6 points and 6 rebounds.

The Griffins return home Tuesday December 2nd to face Fullerton at 6pm.

2007-2008 Archive