Lady Birds looking forward to season

By Dick Sparrer

The Fremont girls basketball team is off to a winning start in the Shirahawa Classic at Yerba Buena High School.

But then Fremont coach Jason Crutchfield isn't surprised. He fully expects his Firebirds to do plenty of winning in the 1999-2000 season.

The Firebirds have some rather lofty goals in the coming season that include winning over 25 games, winning a league championship and winning a Central Coast Section title.

"We return all but two players from last year's team," added the coach. "We are experienced, dedicated and our chemistry is great."

Crutchfield, who led the Firebirds to the championship in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League back in 1996, expects his Lady Birds to contend with powers St. Francis and Homestead in the race for the De Anza Division title this winter.

Leading the attack will be talented returning starters Shade Akanbi, Monique Gammon, Daynell Parker and Jose Wells.

Akanbi is a 5-foot-6 senior point guard who will quarterback the Fremont offense this season. The returning all-leaguer averaged 12.0 points, 6.5 assists and 2.3 steals a game last year.

"She's a superb dribbler, passer, scorer and defender," said Crutchfield of Akanbi. "She's athletic, quick and very strong. She's very determined to be the best."

Gammon, a 5-foot-9 senior guard-forward, is another returning all-league who led the division in scoring last year. Gammon averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks a game a year ago.

"She is my best defender and scorer," said Crutchfield. "She is very athletic, very fast and quite strong. She will do whatever it takes to be the best."

Wells, a 5-foot-10 senior power forward, is back after averaging 9.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks a game last winter.

"She is very muscular, strong and tough," said Crutchfield of Wells. "She is a great rebounder and inside scorer, and she has a nice outside game as well."

Parker, a 5-foot-11 junior center, returns after a solid sophomore season when she averaged 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game.

"She is a great inside player," said the coach. "She has a long wingspan, a good vertical jump and good timing."

Joining the four varsity returners will be Katrina Ison, a 5-foot-6 sophomore guard who was the most valuable player on the junior varsity last year.

"She will push for serious minutes at shooting guard," said Crutchfield.

The Firebirds are off to a 3-2 start in the '99-00 season, but they pushed their record over the .500 mark last weekend with a lopsided 40-22 win over San Jose in the first round of the Shirakawa Classic.

Parker had the hot hand for the Lady Birds with 13 points. Gammon pitched in nine points and Kristin Kam added eight. Robin Glass and Rachel Saldivar added three points apiece and Ison and Tiana Stroughter hit two each.

Fremont continues play at Yerba Buena this week in the tournament that runs through Dec. 18. The Firebirds will then compete in the Cupertino Tournament Dec. 20-22. Fremont opens tourney play against Leigh on Dec. 20, 8 p.m., at Cupertino.

Woman loses arm in rollover car accident

A horse is a horse, of course, of course

Sports Briefs

Fremont High School girls basketball

High school sports