Woodside girls confident they can make playoffs Woodside girls confident they can make playoffs (January 05, 2005)

By Max Schneider

Special to the Almanac

The Woodside High School girls varsity basketball team is looking to top last year's 17-10 record as it opens its PAL South Division season Wednesday, January 5, at Burlingame.

"This will be our greatest year," predicted Ashlei Burley, one of three returning seniors who have played at the varsity level for three years. The others are Ariane Smith and Jasmine Lewis.

Other lead players are senior Maria Haga and junior guards Mika Kosaka and Courtnei Taylor.

The team has several quick players, including Smith and Lewis, who drop jumpers with ease.

Burley is known for her grit and intensity. Coach Guy Hayman commends her effort so far this year, saying that even though she is not a post player "stature-wise," she frequently battles inside for rebounds and loose balls.

Other players express confidence, too. Taylor claims the team is "good enough to beat anyone in [the] league."

Coach Hayman acknowledged the team has weak spots. "We miss a lot of shots around the basket ... free throws, little things like that," he said. "We need to do a better job making easy shots."

The team missed the playoffs last year, but Burley doesn't expect that to happen this year. "I know we can make it to CCS this year," she said. "There's no doubt in my mind."
Woodside girls host Carlmont on January 7 at 6:15 p.m. For the team's schedule, got to www.woodsidehs.org, pull down Activities and click on Sports. Max Schneider is a sophomore at Woodside High School and a sports writer.

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