Girls Basketball: Mira Loma Seeks Winning Formula

The girls basketball team is still looking for its first win of the season, following Tuesday's 65-38 loss at Cosumnes Oaks of Elk Grove.

It was, however, the most total points the Matadors have scored this season, which saw them score only 15 in a loss at Center of Antelope on Dec. 9. Tuesday's game may just be a sign of progress for a team that finished 0-25 last season, which included a 103-17 loss to .

"We're young, with only one senior (guard/forward Addy Rosales) and most of the girls are adjusting to varsity level competition," said Mira Loma coach Patrick Marquez. "And many of the girls are IB (International Baccalaureate) students, so it's been tough to get in practices with all of them when they're studying."

Rosales said things can only improve for the Matadors.

"We're getting better," she said. "We hope to win a couple of games soon."

Junior Shireen Sayareh leads the Mira Loma offense as a point guard.

"I feel like we are improving every game," Sayareh said. "We have fun as a team...and we're improving in the preseason."

The girls play in the Liberty Ranch Tournament Thursday through Saturday with their first game against Highlands at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

When Mira Loma begins league play in January, they'll look to as one of the teams to beat.

"Our varsity wants to beat Rio; they're always in the upper echelon" Marquez said. "We're looking to turn things around here."

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