Ink Magazine - Spring & Fall 2019

Ink The Inquirer Magazine

Spring - Fall 2019

Ink presents:

Diablo Valley’s CCCAA Champions: The 2019 Women’s Basketball Team

Letter from the editor To whomever it may concern,

Editor In Chief Emma Hall

Sports Editor Gavin Rock

Photo Editor Ethan Anderson

Senior Staff Members Samantha Laurey Isabel Villalobos

Staff Members Edwin Chen, George Elias, Pavlina Markova, Alex Martin, Sean McKenna

Adviser Fernando Gallo

Contact Us www.dvcinquirer.com Twitter: @dvcinquirer www.facebook.com/dvcinquirer Email: inquirer@dvc.edu

Spring 2019 was the semester of change for The Inquirer. We began the term with a new adviser, a fresh interface of publishing exclusively online, and a newly drafted work flow of posting a story almost everyday during the semester.

With our new routine, The Inquirer has peeked its way into many inches of our campus. Amongst the communities we have met, our newsroom was most excited about the women’s basketball team.

Personally, I am extra enthaustic about this issue. Not only does the team have memorable personalities, they are all strong and resilient women as well. In an age where women are too often overlooked, especially in athletics, it brings me joy to put a spotlight on these talented individuals. This issue is not only about the hard work of our state champions, but also about female empowerment.

With this exclusive edition of Ink magazine focusing on the team, we hope to let you into the lives and personalities of players, alongside our documentation of their journey towards state champions.

As the women’s basketball team has their own coach, we have our own mentor here in the newsroom. I feel an obligation to express gratitude to our biggest advocate, Fernando Gallo. In our moments of struggle, Fernando has always been there to support us. There is no doubt in my mind that he has been and always will be a devoted, caring, and outspoken adviser.

Here at The Inquirer, we hope you enjoy this issue of Ink. Our design team consisted of myself, photo editor Ethan Anderson, sports editor Gavin Rock, and senior staff member Samantha Laurey. With all the love and hard work we have put into this edition, it is an honor to present this magazine. Thank you for reading.

Sincerely, Emma Hall Editor-in-Chief of The Inquirer

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Photoshoot and bracket

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Comic and NorCal Regional Playoffs

8-9

Quarterfinals

10-11

Semifinals & Championships

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State Champs poster

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Post-Championship Celebration

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Starting a New Chapter Towards Success-Zahria Hendrix

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In the Face of Struggle, She Fought Back--Jasmine Kong

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Power of the Player-Leilani Moncrease

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Breaking Records-Jahnay Anderson

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Brought Together by Fate- Daisha Abdelkader/Sierra Smith

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The Coach that Led Them to Victory-Ramaundo Vaughn

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Meet the Press

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Leilani Moncrease

Jasmine Kong

Jahnay Anderson

Daisha Abdelkader

Zahria Hendrix Loran Clark

Sierra Smith

Vikings Make History as State Champs “Win or lose, I just want all of them (the team) to understand I’m so grateful for every single one of them. I know we’re all going to put it out on the floor tonight. ” Sierra Smith Guard

Photo by Ethan Anderson

CCCAA Women’s Basketball State Championship Bracket

(1S) Moorpark (30-1) 7 p.m.

(1S) Moorpark 66-58

(4N) Coll. of the Sequoias (28-3)

7 p.m.

(1S) Moorpark, 73-68

(2N) Merced (28-3) 1 p.m.

(2N) Merced, 89-75 (1N) Diablo Valley, 68-61

(3S) East Los Angeles (27-6)

3:30 p.m.

(2S) L.A. Trade Tech (28-4) 3 p.m.

(3N) San Joaquin Delta, 81-65

(3N) San Joaquin Delta (25-5) (1N) Diablo Valley (29-1) 5 p.m.

5 p.m.

(1N) Diablo Valley, 67-59

(1N) Diablo Valley, 59-57

(4S) Ventura (25-9)

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Graphic by Edwin Chen

Norcal Regional Playoffs March 9 Pleasant Hill, CA vs. Sacramento City Panthers 54-50

Quarterfinals March 15 Ventura, CA vs. Ventura Pirates 59-57

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“We are built for these moments.

Even though it was closer than we like to, at the end of the day, when it comes to the battle of toughness, we win that battle.”

Zahria Hendrix Conference MVP

Semifinals

March 16 Ventura, Ca vs. San Joaquin Delta Mustangs 67-59

Championships March 17 Ventura, CA vs. Moorpark Raiders 68-61

Women’s Basketball celebrates spectacular season Story by Edwin Chen Photos by Samantha Laurey

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n April 16, the Diablo Valley College women’s basketball team was joined by coaches and staff during its official celebration for victory in the CCCAA women’s basketball state championship.

From left to right: City of Pleasant Hill recognizing March 17 as DVC Women’s Basketball Day, the CCCAA championship trophy, hat from CCCAA tournament courtesy of Susan Lamb with players’ autographs, and basketball authographed by players.

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t’s been three months since DVC women’s basketball team’s tide-turning victory against Moorpark College.

The adrenaline overflowing from the second half comeback plays and the crunch time turnover fests are yet to wear off on both the players and the coaches. Indeed, this is an achievement that’ll leave hearts pumping for months to come.

“This was an amazing season,” said athletic director Christine Worsley during her speech. “The ladies were the talk of the campus for the entire season.”

The athletes accomplished several recognizable feats that led to their championship victory. They won back-to-back Big 8 Conference championships, climbed to the number one rank in Northern California teams, and

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were the first college ever to have four players join the all-state team.

It’s not only the their eye-catching performance on court that is worthy of praise, but their ability to drop huge dimes on their academic performances.

According to Worsley, the team garnered a cumulative GPA of 3.1, earning them the title of an all-academic team . This is the culmination of perseverance coming from the team, and the embers of rebirth since losing their conference finals due to member loss four years ago.

“They were a very special group. I would be telling a tale if I said that I expected this, because I didn’t,” said coach Ramaundo Vaughn. “The mistake that I made was that I just looked at their size, (but) you can’t mea-

sure someone’s heart. They refused to lose, they never got rattled — they were just a group of kids that held each other accountable.”

With the trophy and banners fastened snugly under their belt, the players and staff finished the celebration with cakes and heartfelt congratulations.

To these reigning champions, ball is larger than life. It is a beacon of their strength, their influence, and good things that will come for their career.

“I look at all of you, and all I see are amazing women,” said president Susan Lamb.

“The one thing I see throughout the season is your leadership as women and strong leaders, and of saying ‘we may be down, they may be in our face, but, we are going to come back better than ever.’”

Starting a new chapter toward success Story by George Elias Photos by Ethan Anderson, Alex Martin, and Samantha Laurey

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aying goodbye is always hard, but sometimes necessary. In 2017, Zahria Hendrix was playing scholarship basketball for California State University, Stanislaus as a freshman. Although she had some on-court success, she wasn’t happy with her situation. A personal change of scenery was needed.

As a result, Hendrix decided to leave and have a fresh start at a

community college. When looking at what community college she wanted to attend, Hendrix wanted to put herself in the best position to succeed after leaving a four-year university.

Her mother, Karla Nervis, wasn’t too sure about her leaving.

“I kind of felt like she was going backwards leaving a four-year university for a community college,” said Nervis.

But Hendrix decided that if she wasn’t happy at Stanislaus, she didn’t need to be there. She began considering Diablo Valley College after hearing from her former trainer Omar Stewart, who recommended DVC’s basketball coach Ramaundo Vaughn.

The transfer of former teammate Sierra Smith made this opportunity that much more desirable for Hendrix.

“After I found out one of my old teammates Sierra would be transferring there as well, I was sold,” said Hendrix. “I called coach Vaughn shortly after and the rest is history.”

Hendrix has had a huge impact on the court for the DVC. women’s team, in every aspect of the game. She was critical in the Vikings’ deep playoff run, earning CCCAA tournament MVP honors.

DVC hadn’t seen a championship since 1977, when baseball won a state title.

She is also someone who eventually wants to repay her mom and sister for their sacrifices, she said.

Hendrix lived in Richmond until she was six, when she moved to Stockton for the remainder of her childhood. At just four years old, Hendrix learned how to dribble the ball in-between her legs, according to her mother “When she learned how to dribble with skill, I knew at some point she would want to play on a team,” said Nervis.

The feeling of being able to control the ball, hearing it bounce off the concrete and the sense of achievement from making a basket gave Hendrix satisfaction like no other. Basketball has always been a part of her life, she said.

By the age of seven, Hendrix was already attending multiple basketball practices per day, Nervis said.

“She always wanted to play,” said Nervis. “She would put her headphones on, go in the garage and dribble for hours. She always had a goal, even if she didn’t always achieve that goal she would fight her hardest to get there.”

Hendrix was inspired by her family members, who would always

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The marks of a champion

16.7

points per game

9.0

rebounds per game

128 overall steals

“Zahria, from day one, has allowed me to coach her through watch basketball on TV. This is where the sport first caught her the good and the bad,” Vaughn said. “She welcomed herself to get eye, and eventually motivated her to play. Nervis has been taking coached, she takes criticism well and has been a good player since Hendrix to practices since she was in grade school. she’s got here.”

Hendrix one day wishes to play basketball at the professional level, Hendrix has similar whether it’s overseas or in the WNBA. Her younger sister means everything to Hendrix, she about her coach “She plays very fast and (has) feelings said, but like many sibling relationships, there is occaand their relationship. good sional bumping of heads. That feeling tends to fade once “The ways do things the situation cools down, Hendrix said. shows that he had my defense too she’s an all around best interest at heart,” “My sister is definitely a source of inspiration in that great said Hendrix. “I feel I want to make sure that all the things that she and my like coach Vaughn was family have sacrificed for me to be where I am aren’t in player.” the complete opposite vain,” said Hendrix. “I want to be able to give back to of that and for that them one day.”

Leilani Moncrease reason it changed my Women’s basketball coach Ramaundo Vaughn said Teammate experience in college that he and Hendrix have a “tremendous relationship”. basketball.”

Sometimes the most skilled players don’t allow themHendrix plays taller than what she might be seen as. She may not selves to be coached because of inflated egos, Vaughn said; but Henbe the tallest but she plays big, never backing down from any person drix isn’t one of those players.

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on the opposing team. endrix is listed at 5’8” but you wouldn’t know that from seeing her play.

She plays with a lot of passion and a sense of fearlessness. There are times where she’s going up against centers or forwards that have at least five inches of height over her but you wouldn’t notice it because she doesn’t allow size to get into her way.

She gets very good body position when it comes to dealing with those taller opponents and uses her body well to box those opponents out when it comes to getting a rebound. She plugs the paint getting into the right position to take away the driving lanes to the basket.

Hendrix almost averaged double digit rebounding per game despite her size difference averaging 9.0 rebounds a game this year.

Hendrix is a facilitator on the court.

Her playing style is unselfish and could be described as a all around player. She would rather create a scoring opportunity for her team-

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mate than score herself.

Hendrix loves to pass the ball and watcher her teammates score baskets, if she had been having a bad shooting game she contributes to the team in other ways passing, rebounding, and defending. When she’s on the bench you can hear her loud mouthing coaching, encouraging and cheering on her teammates. “(Hendrix) is a very aggressive player she plays very fast and (has) good defense too she’s an all around great player.” said teammate Leilani Moncrease.

Hendrix earned herself the conference MVP title, averaging 16.6 ppg 9.0 rpg 4.0 apg while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from beyond the arc.

She made an impact on the defensive end leading the conference with steals with 59. DVC had a phenomenal season going 27-1 where they went on to make a long playoff run.

“I came here to make a statement and I feel like I did that.”she said.

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In The Face of Struggle, She Fought Back Story by Emma Hall Photos by Ethan Anderson and Emma Hall

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ome say life can change in a matter of moments. In 2017, Jasmine Kong learned that firsthand. While playing for the varsity women’s basketball team at Arroyo High School, she looked into the crowd of parents sitting on the sidelines. She then noticed the absence of her father.

He never misses a game, she thought. Minutes turned into hours. There was still no sign of her father. Concern turned into wor-

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ry. Kong went home with her mother, searching for her father. He didn’t come home that night.It would be hours until Kong’s mother received a text from her husband. The text held fateful information: his life hung in the balance. Kong and her mother learned that he was being threatened with gang violence.

If Kong’s father did not pay up in a certain amount of time, he would receive a bullet to the head. At that moment, Kong looked to

God the most, she said.

Kong’s father returned home, but with his arrival came debt. Kong was in financial strain; money from her savings, college and family fund was gone.

Life seemed dim, but little did she know at the time, her tenacity would pull her through. In her most vulnerable moment, she remained mighty.

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o strangers, Kong may seem timid and soft spoken. But she isn’t afraid to speak her mind and protect the ones she loves. She is dedicated to female empowerment, her faith, family, and culture but, according to Kong, she is breaking barriers for Cambodian women. ”It’s breaking traditions in culture, it’s very different, I feel like the outcast of the family sometimes and it’s because Cambodian culture is very conservative,” Kong said, “(Winning the championships), it’s really big,” said Kong.

After the historical title game win against Moorpark, Kong was overwhelmed by calls from Cambodia. They proposed for her and her teammates to come to the country in order to get more exposure.Her background is an important aspect of her life.

Not only are her parents immigrants, but as a first-generation American from a wartorn country, she lives in the shadows of her family’s struggles.

During the 1980s, Kong’s parents came as refugees to the United States in order to escape the Vietnamese Cambodian War which began in 1978 and would end in 1989. Her parents also survived the previous Cambodian Civil War which stretched from 1967 to 1975. Cambodia was under the Khmer Rouge, a regime that would kill millions.

The war was a nightmare, filled with guerilla warfare, genocide, bombings, and massacres. Three years later, Vietnam invaded Cambodia, a turning point that would result in six million deaths. With Cambodia devastated, the Kongs came to the United States. ong grew up differently. She was regularly reminded of her parents’ struggles through the retellings of the horrors they faced. Her bedtime stories consisted of tales of survival.

Kong’s parents were transparent with their daughter, sharing memories of being separated from their parents, seeking refuge in Thai camps, and seeing piles of dead bodies.

Kong knew from a young age about war and the nightmares it creates.

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”It was traumatizing things they would tell me as a child, but I think it’s a huge part of who I am,” said Kong. “If my parents didn’t go through that, they wouldn’t have met and eventually had me.”

She described the struggles Cambodian Americans have to overcome, a hardship she believe is often disregarded in the United States. ”We make up most of the poverty rates (in my country)” said Kong. “Being successful has been really hard for immigrant people and (people of) my culture.”

Kong holds gratitude towards her parents for keeping food on the table and a roof over her head.

With her parents showing constant support and enthusiasm, the two are the most important people in her life. Because of this, she feels an obligation to succeed as the first American in her family. er cultural identity is a defining value in her life. As a result, she advocates for more Asian American representation in mainstream athletics.

She strives to one day be the first Cambodian American professional women’s basketball player. ”Being an Asian American player is hard because most Asian Americans are overlooked,” said Kong. “You don’t see a lot of

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“(I want to inspire) not just girls from my culture,but to immigrant girls or any girls of any background.”

Jasmine Kong

Asian players at the D1 or D2 level. So being able to get some recognition in this state championship game has been a blessing,” According to an NCAA database, only 0.57% of college basketball players are Asian American. In 2017-18, there were only 22 male and 27 female Asian Americans in D1

athletics, out of 10,596 students.

“That’s why when Jeremy Lin was able to play in the NBA, it was a huge deal for Asians in America,” said Kong. “And (this championship is) a huge deal for me and my family because they are immigrants with stories that they have learned to keep silent in America, especially being Cambodian American.”

Lin is considered to be an influential figure for Asian Americans, after his meteoric rise to brief NBA stardom.

In 2012, Lin became an overnight star when he debuted with the New York Knicks. He led the team during a successful stretch of games, resulting in the global craze known as ‘Linsanity’.

Despite Lin’s rise to fame, he faced many obstacles with racism while playing for the NCAA at Harvard, and while in the NBA. In the spirit of Cambodia-American success and Asian-American achievement overall, Kong hopes her on court success will inspire other young women. ”Not just girls from my culture, but to immigrants girls or any girls of any background,” She said. “If you work hard enough, you can accomplish your dreams.”

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ong averaged 11 points-pergame off the bench in her freshman season, earning her the title: “bucket getter” by Coach Ramaundo Vaughn. ”Through all the obstacles I’ve faced, basketball was my therapy,” said Kong.

On that historic night in Ventura, Kong recalled her performances in previous games.”I wasn’t doing well,” said Kong. “So I was like: ‘this is the last game, the championship game so I’ll just rack my stacks.”

She did what she knows best: she persevered.

Kong scored 14 points that night, and was a key player in catching up to Moorpark in the second quarter. She was determined. ”As a player, (she) is gifted offensively and has a very natural ability to score the basketball,” said Vaughn.

“She is athletic and aggressive and is never afraid to take a big shot.”

Kong made several big shots against Moorpark, which Vaughn said was key to their comeback victory.

“What stands out about her is her fearlessness and her ability to rise to the occasion in big games”, Vaughn said “Had she not gotten on that roll, we may have had a different outcome.”

Vaughn discovered Kong while she was playing for Arroyo.

He believes she was a perfect fit for the program at DVC. ”We felt as if we could help her become a much better player, and help her reach her goal of playing at a solid NCAA Division I or II program,” he said. “After meeting with her and her

family and having multiple conversations, both parties felt as if it would be a good fit, and the rest is history.”

Kong is known to be the daughter-figure of her team.

The group of nine are all incredibly close, according to Kong. Being the youngest on the team has given her opportunities to grow, Kong said, and has shown her how to improve as a player and as person. ”Being a freshman on the team meant that I could learn from all the sophomores on the team and has humbled me as a player because I didn’t get that in my high school,” said Kong. “I’m glad to be a position like this.” er teammates describe her as easygoing. With a gentle, humble, and hard-working spirit, Kong is a foundational addition to the team. ”Jasmine is incredibly vital. So many times when we were struggling as a team, she was the spark that got us going and really in some cases kept us alive,” said teammate Zahria Hendrix. “I know for a fact that without Jasmine we wouldn’t have won that state championship game and we definitely would’ve lost more than one game.”

Not only is Kong an essential part of her team, but her character and amiability stand out among her peers. ”She’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She never turns her back on someone in need and often sacrifices for others,” said Hendrix.

“She’s very dependable and just all around someone you can count on to just being there for you.”

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Throughout the tribulations Kong has faced, there is a bible verse (Proverb 3:5), that has always stuck close to her heart: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

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“I know for a fact that without Jasmine we wouldn’t have won that state championship.”

Zahria Hendrix Teammate

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n Kong’s moments of doubt, she turns to that proverb to remind herself who she is. ”There’s been many times where I’ve strayed away from my faith or I’ve come to the conclusions, ‘why am I playing at a community college? Why didn’t I get this scholarship when I was in high school? Or why am I overlooked a lot?’” said Kong. “I always have questions: why am I not in the D1, D2, or D3 level, why do I have to come through this route? That verse is very important to me because it reminds me of the trust in His plan.”

And Kong believes winning the state title was all part of that plan.

“I didn’t think I was going to be a state champion, and I don’t care what level it is. It’s a once in a lifetime moment,” she said. “So far, His plan has been amazing.”

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“Jasmine is incredibly vital.

So many times when we were struggling as a team, she was the spark that got us going...”

Zahria Hendrix Teammate

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Power of the Player Story by Gavin Rock Photos by Ethan Anderson and Alex Martin

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n college sports, what determines an athlete’s success? Mental fortitude; athletic aptitude; coachability; talent.

Leilani Moncrease exhibits these traits effortlessly while still remaining humble. From her DVC recruitment to the team’s state championship victory, Moncrease knew she could succeed. By the season’s end, she earned third-team All-State and first-team All-Conference awards.

Like most student athletes, her basketball career didn’t begin at DVC. Although Moncrease began playing at nine, she wasn’t a serious baller until her sophomore year at Moreau Catholic High School, located in Hayward. During this time, Moncrease played on travel teams, where she met her

future teammate Jasmine Kong through the Team Superstar club in Oakland.

At Moreau, her basketball career suffered due to a poor relationship with her coach, she said. The team practiced at 4:30 a.m., a time she couldn’t make. Due to missing a single morning practice, the coach benched her for their last game of the season. Unfortunately, this was the match up DVC coach Kameo Williams specifically attended to watch Moncrease. Even though Williams couldn’t see her play, he knew she was something special. “(Leilani) had something and it wasn’t complete, and I really felt like we could help her as much as she could help us,” said coach Williams. “You have to see beyond the initial

physical things. You have to see into a year later, or two years later.”

She developed a close relationship with Williams, calling him ‘salt and sugar’ for his coaching tactics.

“I have a way of giving the sugar, but also the salt. I don’t know what it is, but it allowed us to connect, it allowed her to be able to talk to me,” said Williams, who has become a mentor to Moncrease.

While calm under pressure, Moncrease asserts herself on the court. This manifests itself as an aggressive playing style . However, with friends, she shows a different side.

“To me, Leilani is a very calm but sassy person at the same time,” Kong said. “Cause she’s a very humbling person but say you

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take food from her and she’ll go off on you.”

Moncrease began attending DVC upon graduating from Moreau. As a student, she takes interest in a variety of different subjects. However, committing to a major has been a struggle. At the moment, Moncrease finds herself wavering between biology, business, and communications. very morning, Moncrease wakes up at 7 a.m. to get ready for classes beginning at 9:30 a.m. She has an hour break for lunch after class, spending it with Kong and friends. The two are inseparable, with Kong affectionately calling Moncrease ‘big sister’.

“Outside of the court she’s showing me how to get my classes, get things ready for college, and just watches over me like a big sister,” said Kong.

Once Moncrease finishes by 3:55 p.m., she has another hour gap until 5 p.m. At this point, offseason training begins.

Training implemented by head coach Ramaundo Vaughn and Williams keeps the girls in shape and focused throughout summer and fall. They also bring in fresh recruits to prep with veteran players.

Moncrease’s first DVC season was spent acclimating herself to collegiate basketball. Initially, Williams moved her to the non-starter squad; not as punishment, but as encouragement to reach new heights.

“She started on the starters, then went to white because we wanted to make sure we got out the maximum amount, and it really lit a fire in her,” Williams said. “She went and earned that; nothing was given to Leilani, Leilani went and earned it.”

Between seasons, Moncrease’s commitment to improve showed through goals set by herself and coaches. For example, during games, players were expected to hold opponents under certain scores. At one point in

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Outside the court, Moncrease works partthe season, Moncrease regularly expected double doubles in rebounds, knowing she time at a gym. Taking time to hang with friends, specifically the women’s basketball could achieve the feat.

“It always starts on defense,” Moncrease team, is also a priority for her “We’ve never fought or bickered, never said. “You know sometimes your shots won’t land, or you might not be playing as well, but had drama or anything on the team, we just you can always control your defense and how get along really well,” said Moncrease.

Alongside her basketball dominance, aggressive you are.”

Along with developing defensive skills, Moncrease has a passion for drawing. BeMoncrease improved offensively. At season’s ginning in childhood, she has an Instagram end, she was averaging 14.3 points per game; page for her artwork. a huge increase from her 4-point average last sea“Outside of the court she’s showing son.

“Once (Leilani got acme how to get to my classes, get climated to college basketthings ready for college, and just ball), she was a matchup problem,” Williams said. watches over me like a big sister.”

“You put a bigger girl on her, she’s going around Jasmine Kong her. Smaller girl, she’s just Teammate going to score over her.

Leilani’s versatility is what she brought to the team.”

Moncrease’s teammates also know how Her busy schedule prevents consistent upinstrumental she is. Kong recognized Mon- dates, but she still manages to doodle when crease’s contributions to rebounding, setting time permits. screens, driving to the hoop, and keeping At DVC, she’s proven herself capable of calm under pressure. surpassing expectations. Williams believes “She’s kind of the anchor of the team, and she’s ready to take on the next level of colif you take her off, we wouldn’t be as good as lege basketball. we are,” said Kong.

At the moment, Moncrease has received his exceptional chemistry between looks from Division I schools such as Chiteammates was on display all season. cago State University and the University of The coaching staff also cultivated pos- Kansas City. She hopes to transfer with a itive environments, which benefited players. scholarship.

After their only loss, the team rebounded “It’s a big achievement for me, because quickly. By the following day, they resolved in high school I only averaged roughly four how to move forward. points and five rebounds per game, and my “We sat down for an hour the next day first year (at DVC) I averaged four points and to talk about what we can do and how our five rebounds again,” said Moncrease. “But chemistry was off that game, and then we this year I averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds came back and said ‘we won’t do that again’,” and two blocks per game. To be able to grow said Moncrease. like this over a year is an achievement.”

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By the numbers Points per game: 14.3 Overall rebounds: 360 Overall blocks: 68

“Nobody had a doubt in our minds that we wouldn’t make it this far. We knew we would beat Ventura and we knew there weren’t any teams better than us; we knew we were gonna win.”

Leilani Moncrease

Breaking Records Story by Alex Martin Photos by Ethan Anderson and Emma Hall

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s a point guard for the Diablo Valley College Vikings, Jahnay Anderson made history on Feb 22 against the Modesto Pirates by hitting 16 three-pointers, in a 138-25 demolition by DVC. “It means a lot. That’s been one of my main goals is to try to get there and I did it,” Anderson said of the record. “Thanks to my teammates, because without them I wouldn’t have gotten there.”

Anderson was a key part of the Vikings’ regular season, which propelled them into the playoffs. After beating Mission College and Sacramento City College in the early rounds, the Vikings advanced to the Contra Costa College Athletic Association Championship Tournament. The 16-team tournament was held in Ventura March 1517.

The first matchup in Ventura came against the Ventura Pirates, and it looked like the Vikings were going to make a

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quick exit in this tournament, as they trailed early. But Anderson stepped up in the second half, and made two free throws that ended up being the difference in the 59-57 victory.

“I was nervous because I hadn’t hit a brick all day,” said Anderson. “But when it’s crunch time, that’s when you show up.”

During the championship game against Moorpark College on March 17, Anderson was the leading scorer with 21 points, including seven three-pointers.

The Vikings came away with a 68-61 victory and were crowned state champions; the first ever women’s basketball title at the school. Overall, it is the first state championship for a DVC athletic program since 1977.

“This means a lot. All season this was our goal. We got here.

We did what we had to do,” said Anderson. “We came out here and we worked hard as a team.

Played together and we got us a dub.”

A Story Through Stats

163 overall 3-point field goals

40.5 3-point percentage

555 overall points

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Sierra Smith (above), Daisha Abdelkader (below)

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Brought Together by Fate Story by Isabel Villalobos Photos by Ethan Anderson

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he Diablo Valley College women’s basketball team made history, winning its first California Community College Athletic Association state championship. The team’s overall record was 32-1, including 15-1 in the Big 8 Conference. Without a doubt this group is talented, but what made it different than any other team?

“The chemistry and work ethic from the team was unbelievable,” said head coach Ramaundo Vaughn. “They wanted to win for themselves, but more importantly for each other. The dynamic of the team was just great.”

Specifically, two women on the team known as the dynamic duo kept everyone together, on their toes, and pushed their peers every second they could.

“Their energy just gets the whole team going. They’re our feisty little energy rabbits that never stop going,” said teammate Jahnay Anderson.

Sierra Smith and Daisha Abdelkader come from different backgrounds, but pushed each other every day to be motivated, build a support system and to better themselves as players.

“The team wouldn’t be the same without our dynamic duo, said teammate Zahria Hendrix. “Their energy on and off the court is just so contagious that everyone feeds off it and makes us better.”

Abdelkader, 21, is the sophomore point guard for the Vikings and half of the “dynamic duo”.

She has always been involved in sports, yet they were all boring to her until she tried basketball in third grade. She started on a travel team called West Coast Extreme, which was successful for a young team, she said, but basketball wasn’t serious for her until she was in eighth grade. She started traveling further, to places like Reno and Las Vegas, and that’s when Abdelkader decided to transfer to the team Mission Wreck in San Francisco.

“I’ve always been on pretty successful teams, but I’ve never experienced something as crazy and amazing as this (state championship),” she said.

Abdelkader is originally from Mountain View, where she attended St. Francis High School. She didn’t know much about DVC academically, but saw it was a competitive school and the basketball team was a successful.

Once at DVC, she realized that Pleasant Hill was very different from Mountain View.

“Out here it’s just a different lifestyle than where I live. They didn’t breed competitive and talented players in Mountain View, so going to a school out there would be purposeless for me,” said Abdelkader.

Abdelkader connected with Vaughn, who recruited her to play for DVC. As a result, Abdelkader commutes every day from Mountain View to school in Pleasant Hill. Though it is a long drive, she has no regrets.

“I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m so happy I made this decision,” she said. he second half of the dynamic duo is Sierra Smith, 18, another point guard for DVC. According to Smith has had basketball in her life since before she could walk. Her family has always been a basketball-oriented family, with Smith’s mom playing when she was younger. This made it easy for Smith to get into the game. Her first memories of being on a team are when she was just six. She has only grown to love it more ever since.

Smith has been on many teams over the years, but Saint Mary’s High School, Salesian High School, and the Oakland Soldiers travel team were her most memorable and successful. When she was a freshman at Saint Mary’s, “Both of their energy just gets Smith’s team was the the whole team going. They’re no. 3 team our feisty little energy rabbits in the nathat never stop going.” tion; it was no. 1 by the time she was Jahnay Anderson a junior.

Teammate She transferred to Salesian High School halfway through her junior year. While the team won the section championships her senior year, Smith was unable to participate. She tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus ligaments during the season, unable to finish the year.

“Practically, I just messed up my entire knee. It really sucked. I had to sit out half of my senior year and first year of college,” said Smith.

“But in that time sitting out and healing I became a different kind of teammate. One who was more inspirational and supportive through

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words since I couldn’t show it on the court. It taught me how to be a better player overall.”

Despite her injury, she was still recruited to play Division I basketball at the University of Utah. Smith had to redshirt her first year due to her injury, but decided not to come back a second year because she was homesick.

After returning home, Smith thought playing junior college was a good way to slowly get back in the game. Upon hearing about DVC and their successful basketball program, she decided her next move.

With such a major knee injury, Smith was unsure how she would play upon returning.

Weeks pass of practices and games, she realized she wasn’t physically the same player. This gave Smith a negative outlook on the future of her career.

“It was just hard, coming back from such a major injury and not being the same player…it was just depressing,” she said. “I thought maybe it would be better if I just stopped playing all together. I didn’t want to hold the team back.” espite Smith’s doubts, her other half, Abdelkader, wasn’t going to let her teammate give up.

“I called and just had a real talk with her. Like I would understand and respect any decision she made, but I had to let her know that we were all here for her through this whole experience of her recovery,” Abdelkader said. “(I told her) she was a great player and helped build our team. That we were a family and weren’t going to give up on her.”

That conversation had a serious impact on Smith, she said, when she realized her teammates weren’t giving up on her. The consistent support from the team really motivated her and made her confident that she could and would recover.

“Honestly, I couldn’t thank my team enough, they were there when I was at my lowest and they really believed in me,” Smith said. “If I would’ve quit, then I wouldn’t have got to experience this whole historical moment in life and never have got to be a part of a whole new family.”

The dynamic duo knew each other casually for years, since they both grew up around the basketball community. They used to say a friendly hi to each other at tournaments and sometimes even play against each other. But each remained just a familiar face on the other side of the gym until recently. Smith and Abdelkader both said it was fate that brought them together after being mutual strangers for

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“I couldn’t thank my team enough, they were there when I was at my lowest and the really believed in me.”

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Sierra Smith

so long. When they first started practices at DVC, the coach would always put them on opposite teams, which caused friction.

The two would guard each other, thinking things like “damn she’s fast” or “damn she’s aggressive.”

After playing against one another, they both realized the talent in each other, and that guarding each other in practice made them better players. he dynamic duo aren’t just a great pair on the court; off the court, they call each other “sisters.”

“I remember that Daisha woke me up at 7 a.m. one day and just started screaming ‘It’s game day! It’s game day! Let’s go!’ At first, I was mad cause it was early,” Smith said. “How could I get mad

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when she’s just so passionate and wants to share her excitement?”

Abdelkader agreed with Smith’s sentiments about their team dynamic.

“We are just a family, yes we saw each other everyday because of practice but that didn’t stop us from seeing each other and hanging out outside of practice,” Abdelkader said. “It’s like a 25/8 kind of thing with these girls.

Season is over and we all still hang out like everyday. We made a family and I know it will carry on past DVC.” Smith and Abdelkader both believe the team’s chemistry led to their success during the season.

“I know people never believe

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show them how much hard work and dedication it takes to get to the top.”

Abdelkader has concluded her career playing at DVC, but wants to play at the four-year college level. She leaves this season thanking her teammates.

“It’s been a hell of a physical, mental and emotional roller coaster ride,” she said. “From being yelled at, to school, to recovering from just playing and injuries. I am extremely proud of you all and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to leave this season than like this. So, truly I am thankful to have made a new family and lifelong sisters.”

When it comes to future team members, Smith and Abdelkad-

“...truly I am thankful to have made a new family and life long sisters.”

Daisha Abdelkader

it, but we really had no drama on our team. Not even a little or once. Just all our personalities matched,” said Abdelkader. “We could get up in each other’s faces and it would be okay, because we all understand that at the end of the day, it’s just a game and we’re a family.”

Smith still has another year to play at DVC, and is looking at the next season with hopeful eyes.

“It’ll be different losing our sophomores, but they left us something great to lead into the next season with,” she said.

“Hopefully the returners can just show and pass on the knowledge we obtained this season to the future incoming freshman. To

er share the same advice.

“The people are going to expect and want you to fail, but don’t listen to them, keep going,” said Smith.

Smith and Abdelkader both agree that what truly made their team different than the others and successful is the chemistry they all had together.

Abdelkader continued with Smith’s statement.

“When adversity hits you just keeping moving forward and trust yourself and family. No one thought we could do what we have accomplished and we did it. Proving that no matter what people say if you want it, you can take it if you work,” said Abdelkader.

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Photo by Samantha Laurey

“When adversity hits you just keep moving forward and trust yourself and family. No one thought we could do what we have accomplished and we did it.”

Daisha Abdelkader

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The Coach that Led Them to Victory Story and photos by Alex Martin

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man who was

born in Hunters Point at the southeastern corner of San Francisco, Ramaundo Vaughn has had to overcome adversity on his way to becoming coach for the Diablo Valley College women’s basketball team.

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aughn started coaching for DVC all his yelling, and all his screaming and was able to get a scholarship to Washington stuff, and all his anger, is out of love.”

State University.” in 2010.

Abdelkader said she has a good relation“It was my understanding that fter his college days, Vaughn went I was their third choice,” said Vaughn. “It ship with Vaughn both on and off the court. to Australia to play professional “At the end of the day, he wants you to didn’t matter to me. I just wanted to get basketball for a number of years. become a better person, a better basketball Although it wasn’t the NBA, Vaughn was back and coach.”

It only took a few years for Vaughn still thrilled to play basketball for a to turn the Vikings into a champion- “(He’s) probably one of the best living, he said. ship caliber team. Several of his players “I couldn’t believe that somebody coaches that I’ve had or I’ve expressed gratitude towards Vaughn was actually going to pay me to play for his contributions as a coach, inbasketball,” said Vaughn. “But I come across.” cluding guard Sierra Smith. made some lifelong friends (with) “It’s different playing for a coach people that I still keep in touch with Sierra Smith that you know believes in you and I to this day.”

Guard think that shows within (our) confiVaughn has garnered interest in dence of us as players,” said Smith. regards to other coaching jobs, but “He’s definitely a great leader. He insisted he’s not a better coach simknows basketball so well. It’s great playing player, a better woman in general,” she said. ply because he won a state championship.

Vaughn started playing basketball when under him and just learning from him.”

“I don’t think I’m any better of a coach While Vaughn has dedicated energy and he was in second grade, and has always loved now than I was two years ago,” said Vaughn. passion to the game of basketball for these to play the game.

“Winning a state championship elevates young women, off the court, he has devel“We came up in an era where there you.” oped relationships with each of his players. weren’t video games and there weren’t all Vaughn is also friends with Golden State “(He’s) probably one of the best coaches of the different distractions that they have Warriors guard Stephen Curry. He gets that I’ve had or I’ve come across. Just the today. Basketball is a really easy sport to play occasional opportunities to work with the fact that he rides you so tough but he also because you don’t need a bunch of equip- NBA superstar. has love for you at the end of the day,” said ment,” said Vaughn. “I just was a guy who “The person that you guys read about, the guard Daisha Abdelkader. “His riding and loved to play. I got good enough to where I person that you see on TV, that’s who he is.

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Steph is genuinely a kind, nice guy,” said Vaughn. “He’s very family oriented, he’s generous. I’m able to work with him and all of our interactions are just amazing. We spend time together during the summers when he’s working out.”

Vaughn also said Curry is willing to go out of his way to give a shoutout to anyone who asks.

“He’ll make a quick ten-second video for you,” Vaughn said. “As corny as it sounds, being around Steph and talking to Steph, he makes you want to be a better person.”

During the offseason, Vaughn enjoys fishing – although he is not very skilled at it, he said.

“I’m a fisherman who never catches fish,” said Vaughn. “I go fishing a couple times a week and I come home with nothing, much more often than I come home with something. I’m probably the world’s worst fisherman. But I think the fish like me because I seem to donate a lot of bait.”

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ff the court, Vaughn keeps a close relationship with his father. It’s a newer development, and he expressed gratitude about having his dad in his life.

“My dad wasn’t in my life when I was young, but as I got older and to this day, my dad is great,” said Vaughn. “He’s a funny old guy. He’s a big influence on me. But for whatever reason, he and my mom had their own issues when I was growing up, so I didn’t see him often.”

Vaughn’s sister, Alesha Coleman, is a few years older than Vaughn and spoke glowingly about her relationship with her brother.

“He has always been the brother that had a big heart. As kids he and I were first friends for each other,” said Coleman. “We have always been close, whether he was away at college or living abroad in a different state.”

Vaughn’s parents had children young, and his mother struggled with drug problems, which meant his grandmother raised the two children.

“Our mother was a beautiful soul with a substance abuse problem. She did the best she could. We loved her so much,” said Coleman. “Our grandmother was heaven sent.

She taught us to treat people like you want to be treated and that meant everybody.” rice Pittman has known Ramaundo since their days at George Washington High School in San Francisco, and they grew close through the game of basketball. “(We) remain best friends to the day,” said Pittman. “Throughout our four years in high school, we learned that we had a lot in common as far as our upbringing.”

Pittman is also a big fan of Ramaundo’s work as a head coach, and continues to cheer him from the sidelines.

“If you’re going to have him as a coach, my advice would be to trust him, and to listen to his message,” said Pittman.

The DVC Women’s basketball team trusted that message – and won a state title as a result.

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Meet the press Ethan Anderson Photo Editor

Edwin Chen Staff Member

As a lover of stories, Ethan has always been a writer. He did freelance for us in Fall 2018, which earned him a spot as Editor in Spring 2019. He is also an English Tutor and president of a writing club at DVC.

Edwin believes that if you love something, never do it for a price. So while he’s been enjoying the writing and drawing gig at the Inquirer for two semesters, Edwin’s current dream is to end up in a quaint little East Coast college where he can watch the snow fall and study more about marketing.

old journalism major. from Pittsburg. He is transffering to Long Beach State in the fall to work on being a sports journalist. His passions are watching sports, hanging out with friends and travel.

Emma Hall Editor in Chief

Gavin Rock Sports Editor

Alex Martin Staff Member

Emma is an 18-year-old journalism major with interests in social justice. She has been studying journalism for four years, starting at The Californian at Cal High in San Ramon. She will be enthuastically continuing as Editor in Chief for The Inquirer in the upcoming Fall semester.

When out of the newsroom, you can find Gavin coaching high school lacrosse or reporting his next assignment.

Though he’s enjoyed two semesters as a member of the DVC Inquirer, Gavin will be moving on to The Sac State Hornet in Fall 2019 as a journalism major.

George Elias Staff Member

Samantha Laurey Senior Staff Member

Jorge (George) Elias is a 20-year

Samantha is a journalism student at DVC and will be transferring to San Francisco State for Photojournalism. Her passions are photography, traveling, family, and friends. Her dream job is to someday work at a magazine.

Alex is an aspiring sports journalist who will soon be taking his talents to Chico State.

In Alex’s spare time he enjoys running marathons. He hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon one day. He is also a fan of Bay Area sports teams and baseball.

Isabel Villalobos Senior Staff Member Isabel is a journalism major at DVC. She’s from Vallejo and will be transfering to San Diego State University to pursue broadcast journalism in the fall. In her free time she enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with her family and friends. She hopes to one day be on the radio or big screen.

Adviser’s Note What else can be said about this tremendous group of young women? As you’ve read on the previous pages, our women’s basketball team is full of determined student-athletes who love to play with each other. Their chemistry was evident during the playoff chase, which I witnessed firsthand.

My first love was sportswriting, and I started my journalism career covering women’s soccer at Sacramento State; so I know team chemistry when I see it. I also had the privilege of teaching Zahria Hendrix in a mass media course last fall, where she was a bright and engaged student.

She is a fine example of the strong, intelligent young women on this team.

They are also a lot of fun, and they have fun together. I think that’s evident from the stories in this magazine. I truly enjoyed watching their magical playoff run, and I know my reporters enjoyed this process.

Speaking of my staff, I can’t resist the easy comparison to the basketball team. Coach Raumando Vaughn is a tremendous motivator, and was the captain of his ‘ship. He had to push all the right buttons to help his women succeed together.

This magazine has been a tremendous labor of love, and it’s my first as a faculty adviser. I’m not quite the speaker coach Vaughn is, but I have certainly done my share of motivating. It has been a formidable challenge to oversee a group of college journalists, especially since I’m not so old myself (34). But these young reporters have worked incredibly hard to put this magazine together, and they’ve done it as a team.

Alex Martin, Isabel Villalobos and George Elias provided excellent sports profiles, where they challenged themselves to delve deeper.

Edwin Chen is a versatile young reporter who drew our awesome superhero-inspired team comic.

Samantha Laurey is a talented photographer who contributed excellent pictures and designed magazine pages.

Ethan Anderson, our photo editor and lead photographer, is incredibly creative and also helped design the magazine.

But I must give special recognition to sports editor Gavin Rock and editor in chief Emma Hall. These two designed most of the magazine together, regularly stayed late and even worked weekends.

Of course, every team has an MVP – ours is undoubtedly Emma. She is tirelessly dedicated to this staff, the magazine and the DVC Inquirer. She is my right-hand woman, and I wouldn’t be able to do this job without her.

I am extremely proud of this entire staff, and I hope you have enjoyed their work. The story of the 2018-19 DVC women’s basketball team is a great one – and it has been our privilege to bring it to you.

Sincerely, Fernando Gallo

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Read our stories: www.dvcinquirer.com