By Yazmin Suarez, Contributing Writer

Chabot’s women’s basketball team played with great determination against Monterrey Peninsula College (MPC) Tuesday night and finished with a victory that did not come easy. With every point made, MPC was able to score within seconds to a minute, but the Gladiators kept up and tied the game multiple times.

Charnay Bell was at the top of the key and swung the ball around to Olivia DuPart for a three- pointer but missed. JaRita Riley caught the rebound for a two-pointer, tying the game at two in the first 3 minutes.

Towards the end of the fist quarter Bell drives into the key for an easy shot and tied the game at 12. Both team fought over the lead for the rest of the first quarter.

At the start of the second quarter Chabot loses the lead but stayed strong and once again tied that game at 19 when Samantha Gipson shot a two-pointer.

In the last few minutes of the first half MPC had possession until they reached half court. Bell jumped in for a steal and dribbled towards the top of the key before passing to Gipson who drives in an easy lay-up to regain a one point lead at 22-21.

Throughout the game the Gladiators attempted three-pointers to gain a higher lead over MPC but only made six three’s out of 25 attempts. Using man-on-man and zone defense helped the Chabot maintain their lead but with difficulty.

DuPart tried for a shot in the key but got fouled and made both free throws ending the first half with a comfortable lead 31-23. Early in the third quarter she made a three-pointer increasing the lead 43-36.

In the second half the Gladiators moved the ball on offense, swinging it around the outside of the key looking for an open shot. MPC began to grow anxious and fouled a few times which allowed Chabot to earn more shots.

MPC made sure Chabot worked for every point on the scoreboard and showed no sign of slowing down. The intensity in both teams never faltered as they persevered and hussled on every play. In the end Chabot won 68-56, their second victory this season so far.

Head Coach Don Queyrel was not fully happy but content with the team’s performance. “They did what they needed to do.” Clock managing and stupid fouls are some of what the team still needs to work on.

“We got into foul trouble. In a close game we’re going to lose because we’re putting them[opponent] on the line.”

Coach Queyrel believes the team is better than the previous season and is mainly focusing on getting to the state championship. It has been seven years since Chabot has won a state championship and last year they placed third. “We’d like to return to the state championship, but we’re in the toughest conference in the state.”

So far the ladies have showed determination in their game performance and it is clear they are aiming for a fourth state championship for Chabot.