After losing five of its top six players from last season, Troy entered this season with tempered expectations.
The Warriors’ original goal was just to reach the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA playoffs. The top 10 players in Troy’s rotation were sophomores and juniors.
“We were supposed to do nothing this year,” Troy coach Roger Anderson said.
But Troy exceeded expectations, winning 24 games and qualifying for the CIF-SS Open Division. The Warriors reached the semifinals of the CIF Southern California Regionals in Division 1 and sophomores Barbara Sitanggan and Rebecca Lazuka emerged as leaders the Warriors can rely on for the next two seasons.
Troy’s success came from its defense, which held Freeway League opponents to 31 points or less in its 10 league wins.
Anderson is the Register’s Coach of the Year as a result.
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“That’s the kids,” said Anderson, who is 175-39 in his seven seasons as Troy’s coach. “Which is really cool that they get recognition, because they’re always fighting.”
The Warriors have won 180 consecutive Freeway League games. They could break Brea Olinda’s record for longest Orange County league winning streak next year – the Ladycats won 183 Century League games in a row.
Most of Troy’s losses this season came against the top teams in California. Six of the eight losses came to teams in the Open Division, including a one-point loss to Windward, the CIF-SS champion.
The Warriors picked up impressive wins against Chaminade of West Hills and Camarillo. Sitanggan emerged as one of the top players in Orange County, averaging 14.6 points and 4.6 steals per game. Lazuka averaged 8.9 rebounds per game.
Contact the writer: mcooper@ocregister.com
