With only four returning players from a team that went 3-24 overall and 1-9 in the Sierra Foothill League, this looks to be a rebuilding season for the Granite Bay High School girls.

The struggles showed in the Grizzlies’ first three losses, starting with a 63-14 setback against Kennedy in a Foundation Game. Granite Bay committed many turnovers, struggled to keep up with Kennedy’s fast breaks and scored only one point in the second and third quarters.

New head coach Angel Delgadillo said the team is taking baby steps to start this season.

“We’re going to have our work cut out, and we’re shooting for everybody to improve and play together and give it our best shot,” Delgadillo said. “We have talent, but it’s young talent and we’re still working to put our team together. It’s evident that we haven’t had a lot of court time together. We’re still finding ourselves.”

Delgadillo said the team will improve over time once his players build confidence.
“It will take a team effort to improve, but hopefully the girls will realize that we can do this if we work as a team,” Delgadillo said.

With the team predominantly shorter in height, key areas for the Grizzlies will be speed and athleticism.

“We’re going to rely more on our athleticism to take other teams out and go out and play half-court because most teams will play above us,” Delgadillo said. “Our speed is definitely our strong point, and we just need to capitalize on that.”

Junior Katrina Reeves is averaging 11 points per game for the Grizzlies, and sophomore Jennifer Manduca averages 10 points.

GRANITE BAY GIRLS BASKETBALL

2010-11 records: 3-24 overall, 1-9 in the Sierra Foothill League (sixth place).

Upcoming games: The Grizzlies’ next two games are against perennial Sac-Joaquin Section playoff stalwarts — Tuesday at home against McClatchy and Dec. 21 at Sheldon.