Shannon Morrow
Sports Editor
12/23/2009

    The Feather River College women’s basketball team won its first home game of the season with a 62-48 victory against Yuba Tuesday, Dec. 15.
    This was the first game on FRC’s new gym floor, and the Golden Eagles were glad to break it in with a win.
    “The new gym floor is awesome to play on,” said FRC women’s basketball head coach Haley White. “It is beautiful and brightly colored. It brings a sense of excitement to the game, and I think we reflect that excitement in the style of basketball we play.”
    Indeed, the game was fun to watch, with lots of skilled play and athleticism. Feather River scored 32 points in the first half and 30 in the second half.
    “We are a transition-heavy team and we look to get out and defend our opponents,” said White. “We are the most athletic we have been as an entire team, from my guards to posts, and they play hard with a lot of enthusiasm.”
    Three FRC players scored in double digits against Yuba. Lenise Campbell totaled 13 points, Heather Hamilton registered 12 and Britney Bell earned 11. Shanice Martin added eight points and led with 10 assists.
    Bell shot 56 percent from the floor, and Hamilton made six of seven free throws. Nine FRC players scored.
    “Every person on the team plays a vital role in our success,” said White. “There have been three games already where everyone has scored, and that is huge in the fact that every member is a scoring threat.”
    Hamilton pulled down 12 rebounds against Yuba, and Erica Haedrich grabbed nine. Haedrich led with four steals.
    The Golden Eagles are off to a 5-6 start and concluded 2009 at the Delta Tournament in Stockton last weekend.
    So far this season, Hamilton is averaging 11 points and nine rebounds per game.
    “She adds the height and athleticism that we have been lacking in the past, so I am very excited to have her,” said White. “To top it off, her work ethic is outstanding.”

    FRC’s second-leading scorer is Shanice Martin from Reno, who is averaging 11 points, 2.5 steals and almost four assists per game, while shooting 80 percent from the line.
    White also singled out freshman Tara Usko and sophomore Haedrich. Usko has averaged eight points and six rebounds per game, and is shooting 53 percent from the field. Haedrich has averaged 8.5 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game.
    The Golden Eagles open their conference schedule at home against Lassen Saturday, Jan. 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m.