Another season of hoops action is about to get underway for a pair of Mission Bay High teams. Girls basketball The Bucs, under head coach Vince Ichihara, have some returning players from last season as well as some newcomers that will reportedly make a big impact on the team. 
“We return six players and add six players that were not on the team last year,” Ichihara commented. “We expect big contributions in the stat column with our returning leading scorers Natalie McDermott and Gwen Lundstrum. “Our defensive energy starts with Brooklynn Grooms who also gets out on the break and makes a lot of things happen. Maya Jessee and Maci Grenfell bring a lot of size to our team and Maddie Grooms helps out in a lot of different ways with her energy and effort. “This year we have added a big piece in transfer Hannah Richardson who is a PB native returning to her home school from playing in a big-time private school circuit and will fill up the stat sheet. We also add more toughness, defense and rebounding with Ariet Abakeo, Kimberly Castro, Karrin Evans, Baylee Gilbert and Leilani Maanao,” Ichihara said. According to Ichihara, the Bucs look to build on last year’s effort and take it a game at a time as they get better each time they step out in the floor. “We have a lot of keys to our success and have a long way to go but have the potential to be really solid this season should the girls work hard and play together,” Ichihara added. “We will play an exciting brand of basketball as we get up and down the court and hope to get some fans in the stands to support the Bucs.” Mission Bay will host Crean Lutheran on Dec. 7. Boys basketball
The Bucs, under head coach Marshawn Cherry, open play this week in the Battle Zone Tournament. The Bucs return their starting five from last season, a season where Mission Bay was the Open Division champion. “We believe we are a year bigger, faster, stronger and smarter than the team that won it all last year,” Cherry stated. “We hope to repeat as open champs and make a deep run at the state title.” Cherry added that the Bucs are looking forward to an exciting season and hope to have everyone one in the community at the games to support them.