The 2012-13 edition of the Lady Bears features 4 returning starters from a squad that came within a basket of winning the CCC and going to the playoffs last year. The Lady Bears will be led by 2 year returning starter Tekerra Borden and CCC MVP Dalonna Jones who will be looking to lead their team to the first 20+ win season since John Bliss' 06-07 squad which was led by MVP Deja Mann, now a senior at Arizona State. Merced also returns seniors Tandra Henley and Angelica Lazo and junior Oleachea Bowers from last year's squad. The Lady Bears have only one win in the playoffs since the teams of the early 90's who went 7-4 in playoff games under Merced's present coach, Brad Reed. Those Lady Bear teams are the last to get to a section final and an appearance in the Nor Cal playoffs. This year's squad will be very young with only 3 seniors and will face a tough Davis team in their foundation game on Nov. 26 in Modesto. If you want to catch the Lady Bears at home you will need to be in town Dec. 4 (Madera) or Dec. 18 when they host Livingston. January 4th they will host a tough and talented McNair squad who won 28 games last year and features two of the best players in the section in 6'4" Junior Mandy Coleman and Junior sharpshooter Brittany Butler. That is a must see - mark your calendar. League starts January 8th at home against Atwater and concludes February 8th against Golden Valley. Our entire schedule is included on this website. We sincerely hope you will come out and support the Lady Bears this season.
