The tournament set to tip off Dec. 19 at the Blanchard Gym will take on a different feeling than other preseason tournaments the Lady Mustangs have played in this season.
This tournament will honor the late Jocelyn Mancebo, who starred as a player for Delta in 2003-2004, and went on to a brief coaching career that ended in 2009.
As a player, Mancebo was named to the Bay Valley all-conference team and led the Mustangs to a conference title.
She then poceeded to play at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she led the Wolf Pack in scoring and steals.
Her passion for the game of basketball, described fondly by Delta Athletic Director Mary Anne Paz, would naturally lead her to pursue coaching.
“Jocelyn had a great passion for basketball and for the program, and impacted everyone around her,” said Paz.
Head Coach Gina Johnson’s team currently stands at 5-5 going into the Santa Rosa tournament this weekend with a young roster that has been getting better with every game.
According to coach Johnson, the team’s strong work ethic and coupled with strong backcourt play so far have been the main reason behind its ability to overcome the inexperience factor so far.
“I think we play hard as a team, but that’s what we demand…I think that we have been shooting the ball well…this past weekend we’ve had Shianne Solomon and Anna Nguyen shoot the ball really well over the weekend, and I think that we have some good hustle from our guards and we drive well to the basket and we’re just learning to play well together, and be more consistent.”
The Mustangs open the tournament against Feather River College.
