California girls set to renew rivalry with Hermann

Elizabeth Lutz of California looks toward the basketball during a game against Hermann in the Capital City Shootout on Dec. 27, 2016, at Fleming Fieldhouse.
Elizabeth Lutz of California looks toward the basketball during a game against Hermann in the Capital City Shootout on Dec. 27, 2016, at Fleming Fieldhouse.

California coach Bobby Sangster really likes his Lady Pintos basketball team.

It's easy to see why.

"Our energy has been great, the girls are all about the right things," Sangster said as the Lady Pintos prepare to take on the Hermann Lady Bearcats in a battle of state-ranked teams in the Capital City Shootout on Saturday at Fleming Fieldhouse. "We are more worried about the things that don't necessarily show up in the stat sheet than those things that do.

"And when you worry about those things, my job as a coach is a lot easier."

The Lady Pintos, ranked No. 4 in Class 3, returned just one starter from last year's team that finished with a record of 21-6. But instead of taking a step back with a slew of new players after losing five seniors, the Lady Pintos have gotten off to a 6-0 start.

"They've been part of our practices and accepted it," Sangster said. "And since they've bought in, they've done a good job of taking us to that next level.

"When everybody is aimed toward the same goal, it can lead to a pretty successful season. There are a lot of positive things happening in our program right now."

It helps the one returning starter is senior Elizabeth Lutz, who has signed with Western Illinois and is starting for her fourth season with the Lady Pintos.

"The best thing about Elizabeth is while she has Division I skills, she has next-level character," Sangster said. "When your best player is diving on the floor, when your best player is your loudest player, when she's your hardest worker, you really have something."

But Sangster stresses this isn't a one-person team.

"Basketball-wise, we probably have as high an IQ as we've been in a long time," he said. "The new players have bought into the culture, it is such a pleasure to coach and mentor them.

"It's not coach-say, player-do this season. I just give them a general idea of what we're trying to do and they go out and try to succeed. When we've been challenged, we've responded so far this season. It's a team full of hard workers."

The Lady Pintos figure to be challenged in the Shootout by the Lady Bearcats.

"We know we're going to take some lumps this year, it may happen Saturday," Sangster said.

Hermann, ranked No. 3 in Class 3, will bring a record of 6-1 into Saturday's contest.

"What Hermann has going on right now is impressive," Sangster said. "Coach (Todd) Anderson is a guy that I really respect and have learned a lot from coaching against him.

"They do all the things you're supposed to do well, very well. When you do that, you give yourself a chance to compete every night."

California and Hermann are familiar foes in the Shootout. This is the fourth time they've met in the event, with the Lady Pintos taking all three previous meetings, including a 50-48 win last year.

"This is a great chance to showcase our program," Sangster said. "It is so much fun, it gives the girls a great memory because it is such a well-run event."

California has appeared three other times in the Shootout, defeating South Callaway and Harrisburg while losing to Owensville.

Game time is 4:30 p.m. Saturday.