Women's Basketball

SAN DIEGO, CA 2/3/12 Mesa made it 12 in a row on Friday night before a packed house, 57-48. Mesa was down 15-7 early in before taking a 28-25 halftime lead. Mesa then went on a 26-15 run to take a 54-40 lead with 3 minutes to go and never looked back.

Freshman Stevi Hall (Harrisburg, PA) led the charge with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Freshman Jessica Bautista (Sweetwater, San Diego) had 11 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore Katie Ratfield (Modesto Christian, CA) had 9 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Chanel Putras (Grossmont, San Diego) had 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Mesa is now 8-0 in PCAC play, and 16-7 overall.

San Diego, CA 1/27/12 Mesa continued it's winning ways on Friday evening by defeating cross-town rival, San Diego City College, 62-46.

Mesa was led by Freshman, Jessica Bautista (Sweetwater, San Diego) who had 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 steals. Sophomore, Angela Eley (Serra, San Diego) had 13 points, including 3 3's.

With the win, Mesa moves to 15-7 overall and 7-0 in PCAC play. Mesa next plays on 2/3, at 5PM at home versus Grossmont College! This game is a first place showdown. Grossmont is 12-10 overall and 6-1 in PCAC play.

SAN DIEGO, CA 1/25/12 Mesa won it's 10th straight game over Palomar College, 63-48. The Lady Olympians are now 14-7 overall and 6-0 in PCAC play.

Sophomore Katie Ratfield (Modesto Christian, CA) had 15 points and 9 rebounds while freshmen Lucille Gleason (Sweetwater, San Diego) and Stevi Hall (Harrisburg, PA) chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Mesa next hosts San Diego City College this Friday, 1/27, at 5PM.

SAN DIEGO, CA 1/23/12 Olympian Head Coach, Michael Hootner has announced that the team can now be followed on Google+. The email address associated with Google+ is, coachhootner@gmail.com.

Once you are in Google+, join our San Diego Mesa College Women's Basketball "Circle" (of Friends).

Visit, Google+ to create a (free) new Gmail account and join Google+ right away!

SAN DIEGO, CA 1/20/12 The Lady Olympians found a way to come back from another second half deficit this evening to push their record to 13-7 overall and 5-0 in PCAC play.

Down by 2 with 1:40 to go and the shot clock winding down, Jessica Bautista (Sweetwater, San Diego) hit a 25 footer as the shot clock expired to give Mesa the lead they would never again relinquish.

"I'm very proud of these women," said Olympian Head Coach Michael Hootner. "The target is on our back night in and night out and we keep finding ways to win. It's a real credit to their resiliency," concluded Coach Hootner.

Freshman, Stevi Hall (Harrisburg, PA) led Mesa with 16 while freshman Lucille Gleason (Sweetwater, San Diego) chipped in with 10.

OCEANSIDE, CA 1/18/12 The Lady Olympians pulled off their biggest disappearing act of the season for the first 29 minutes but reappeared just in time to escape with a 64-57 win at Mira Costa.

Down 13 with less than 12 minutes to go, Mesa behind the hot shooting of sophomore Chanel Putras (Grossmont High, San Diego) and freshman Stevi Hall (Harrisburg, PA) came roaring back. Putras was 7/14 from the floor, including going 6/12 from 3 while Hall was 5-11 from the floor.

Mesa is now 12-7 overall after their 8th win in a row and 4-0 in PCAC play.

SAN DIEGO, CA 1/13/12 The Lady Olympians disposed of both co-defending PCAC Champions this week. Wednesday it was Grossmont and tonight, it was Southwestern. Mesa was up 34-26 at the half and extended that lead to 20 in the second half before Southwestern made a valiant run at the end of the game but it was too little too late.

Mesa grabbed 58 rebounds while only turning the ball over 16 times. "I'm very proud of these young ladies," said Olympian Head Coach, Michael Hootner. To beat Grossmont and Southwestern in the same week within a 3 day span is a great accomplishment but we still have a long way to go," concluded Coach Hootner.

Mesa is now alone in first place atop the PCAC at 3-0 while Grossmont and Southwestern are 3-1. Mesa is now 11-7 overall and 3-0 in PCAC play.

El Cajon, CA 1/11/12 The Lady Olympians came back from a 15 point deficit in the final 8 minutes of the game to beat previously unbeaten Grossmont College, 51-50. Mesa, down 43-28, finished the game on a 23-7 run.

With Mesa down by 2, they tied the score at 49 after Jessica Bautista's (Sweetwater, San Diego) steal and two free throws after an intentional foul was called with :42 remaining. With .5 seconds remaining, Mesa was called for a foul and Grossmont went up by 1. But, then several fans, thinking the game was over, ran onto the court and the ref called a technical foul. Sophomore Denise White (Westview, San Diego) calmly stepped up and hit both free throws to give Mesa the victory.

SAN DIEGO, CA 12/22/11 The Lady Olympians went 2-0 at the Glendale Crossover Tournament to push their winning streak to 4. Mesa is now 8-7 overall heading into PCAC play on January 4, at City College at 7PM. Lucille Gleason was 8-13 from long distance during the tournament while Stevi Hall added 16 and 10 points, respectively in each game. Against College of the Desert on Thursday, Denise White had 14 points on 4-5 shooting from 3 while grabbing 3 rebounds.

SAN DIEGO, CA 12/18/11 The Lady Olympians bounced back after losing in the opening round of the San Diego City College Tournament by winning the next two games to win the Consolation Championship. Mesa improves to 6-7. Sophomore, Chanel Putras was terrific at both ends of the floor and earned All-Tourney honors.

"I'm very proud of the effort we showed in this tourney," said Olympian Head Coach, Michael Hootner. "To bounce back and win two games after dropping an emotional first round game shows the toughness of this group," concluded Coach Hootner.

SAN DIEGO, CA 11/13/11 The Lady Olympians beat perennial power Cerritos College on Sunday night, 57-41 to win the 1st Annual James Mulvehal Coaches vs Cancer Holiday Inn Mission Valley Stadium Tip-Off Tournament. The Olympians went on a 24-2 run to finish the game after trailing 39-33 with 9:49 remaining in the game. "I'm extremely proud of this team," said Head Coach Michael Hootner. "We played good defense, took care of the ball and rebounded well," added Coach Hootner.

Mesa beat Santa Monica in the semis 75-64 and College of the Desert 58-38 in the opening round. Mesa now travels to Santa Barbara for a 3-day tournament. The Olys open up against state power San Bernardino College at 5pm this Thursday, November 17. All games can be watched at www.justin.tv/mhootner.

SAN DIEGO, CA 10/3/11 Click Here for the complete schedule. Remember, if you cannot make a game in person, all games will be broadcast live on the internet at, www.justin.tv/mhootner.

The 2011-12 Mesa College Lady Olympian Roster is now available! Click here to view it.

The 2011-12 Mesa College Media Guide is also now available! Click here to view it! For a hard copy, please send $10 to:

Make Checks Payable to: Mesa College-Women's Basketball

Attention: Michael Hootner - Head Coach

San Diego Mesa College

7250 Mesa College Drive

San Diego, CA 92111

SAN DIEGO, CA 10/1/11 The official kickoff to the college basketball season began this evening with Midnight Madness. The Lady Olympians and the Men's team hosted the 4th annual event at Mesa College's Gymnasium.

The evening began with a 3-point contest. Courtney Hazelwood won it for the Lady Olympians. In the dunk contest, Dee Hugie won it for the second year in a row.

The night was concluded with a brief scrimmage between the two teams. "It was a lot of fun," said sophomore Katie Ratfield. "We appreciate everyone who came out to support us," concluded Ratfield.

If you want to see all the latest photos (including pictures from the newly renovated gymnasium) and information on the Lady Olympians, request to be our friend from your Facebook page. Once you arrive, in the search box, type in "Sandiegomesacollege Women'sbasketball" and then request to be a friend of the program. Thank you alumnae, friends, and family for all your support! Recruits, we invite you to be a friend of the program also!

Follow Coach Hootner's Tweets at: www.twitter.com/michaelhootner.

Follow the San Diego Women's Basketball Program Tweets at: www.twitter.com/SDMCWBB.

10/16/10 SAN DIEGO, CA

The 2011-12 games will be aired LIVE at www.justin.tv/mhootner. Go to the "Schedule" page and check out the times, where, and who we play!

Also, all past games can be viewed after the game in case you missed it! Our first year broadcasting games in 2010--11 was a huge success! You can also chat with other viewers while you are watching the live broadcast!

5/26/11 SAN DIEGO, CA Shelby Watson (Mira Mesa, San Diego), a two-time captain for the Lady Olympians and Pacific Coast Athletic Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention selection in 2011 has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for The University of St. Mary (click for more info) in Leavenworth, Kansas. Watson will begin playing for the Spires and Head Coach Mike Basler this fall. Watson averaged 8 ppg and nearly 5 rpg as a freshman and nearly 5 ppg and 5 rpg as a sophomore. "We will miss Shelby a great deal," said Olympian Head Coach, Michael Hootner. "Shelby was the consummate student-athlete and a true ambassador for our program. We are excited for her as she transitions to this next step in her life and know that she will have tremendous success at St. Mary," concluded Coach Hootner.

Lynchburg, VA 1/23/11 Annessa Jamison (Poway, San Diego), a 1st-Team All-Conference player in 2008-09 has earned a full-athletic scholarship to Division I, Liberty University. Annessa is playing Lacrosse for the Flames. Jamison orginally signed with Cal Berkeley to play Lacrosse in 2008 but chose to come to Mesa to pursue her dream of playing college basketball. "We are very proud of Annessa. She has an amazing opportunity to have her education paid for while traveling the country and are so excited for her," said Olympian Head Coach Michael Hootner. She can play three years of Lacrosse at Liberty and if she chooses to play both sports, can play ball for two, starting next year.

2/16/11 SAN DIEGO, CA The Mesa College Women's Basketball team in conjunction with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association joined forces to help raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. Mesa joined forces with over 1,500 other colleges and universities to help raise nearly 1.5 million dollars. The money will be sent to the Kay Yow and Jimmy V. Foundations. For more information, please go to: http://www.jimmyv.org/component/content/article/55-charities/584-the-kay-yowwbca-cancer-fund.html.

SAN MARCOS, CA 2/11/11 The Lady Olympians earned their 10th victory of the 2010-11 campaign with a 46-35 win over Palomar College. Freshman, Karina Dekker (Concord, CA) led the charge with 14 points on 4/6 shooting from behind the arc while freshman Asha McDonnell (Serra, San Diego) chipped in with 10 points while grabbing 8 boards.

2/2/11 SAN DIEGO, CA Early on, the Lady Olympians looked as if they were going to fall trap to the old saying, "it's hard to beat a team three times in a season." But, a 32 point second half led by freshmen, Karina Dekker (Concord, CA) and Denise White (Westview, San Diego) combined with a smothering defensive effort helped the Olympians beat City for the third time this season. Dekker and White both had 12 points including 2 big 3's each in the second half. The Lady Olympians held City to 15 points in the second half. Freshman Asha McDonnell (Serra, San Diego) had a career high 17 rebounds for Mesa. For the complete boxscore, click here.

For the rest of the schedule and boxscores from this season, click here!

1/7/11 SAN DIEGO, CA The Lady Olympians beat city rival, San Diego City College, 64-48, Friday night to even their record at 1-1 in PCAC play. Sophomore, Bridgette Palmer (Odessa, TX) led Mesa with 15 points and freshman, Michaela Nichols (Serra, San Diego) added 14. Freshman Karina Dekker (Concord, CA) chipped in with 12 and freshman Asha McDonnell (Serra, CA) grabbed 12 rebounds.

SAN DIEGO, CA 12/19/10 The Lady Olympians beat Irvine Valley on Sunday, 72-71 to earn 3rd place in the San Diego City College Annual Holiday Tournament. The Olympians twice trailed by 5 points in the final minute of play only to rally to win by 1 on Denise White's free throw with 2.2 seconds left. "I am so proud of these women. The resiliency, toughness, and selflessness they continue to display is a real credit to them. It's an honor to be coaching this very special group," said Head Coach, Michael Hootner. Sophomore, Monique Correia (Horizon, San Diego) led the Olympians with 19 points, including 5 3's. Freshman Chanel Putras (Grossmont High) and freshman Denise White both chipped in with 13 points. Putras was 3/5 from 3 and White was 2/6.

In the semi-finals on Saturday, the Lady Olympians lost to Central Wyoming, 63-61 at the buzzer. White led Mesa with a career-high 21, including going 8/13 from the free throw line, while Correia added 18, including going 4/9 from beyond the arc.

In the opening round, Mesa defeated a stingy Victor Valley squad, 73-70. White led the Olympians with 20 points while freshman, Karina Dekker (Concord, CA), chipped in with 13 while Correia added 12.

Mesa plays again on December 29, at Long Beach City College, at 5PM. This will be their final tuneup before they open PCAC play on January 5, at 5PM at home versus Mira Costa College.

SANTA MARIA, CA 12/11/10 The Lady Olympians keep finding ways to win after their hard fought 60-59 in the 3rd place game of the Alan Hancock Tournament. The Lady Olympians started off slowly playing their 3rd game in as many days, getting down by 12 early. Behind freshman Chanel Putras' (Grossmont High) 5 first half 3's, Mesa was able to grab a 39-38 lead going into the break. Mesa led by as many as 12 in the second half (54-42) before Cuesta came roaring back. With Mesa leading 60-59, Cuesta missed a contested layup at the buzzer and after a mad scramble of all ten players, Mesa's Shelby Watson (Mira Mesa) grabbed the rebound as time expired. Putras hit 3 more 3's in the second half to finish with 24 points while earning All-Tournament laurels. The Lady Olympians will next play Victor Valley this Friday, 12/17, at City College's Holiday Tournament at 3PM PST. The game will be broadcast live at www.justin.tv/mhootner.

12/9/10 SANTA MARIA, CA The Lady Olympians beat the host team tonight in Santa Maria, California, Alan Hancock College, 58-57. It was a seasaw battle all night with several lead changes. The Lady Olympians were able to hang on down the stretch for it's third win in the last five games. Denise White led the Olympians with 13 points.

Hemet, CA 12/4/10 Mesa beat confernece foe, Imperial Valley College, 61-57, in a non-conference tilt. The Lady Olympians held off a furious comback down the stretch to beat the Arabs.

12/1/10 SAN DIEGO, CA The Lady Olympians beat cross town rival this evening, 46-43. After trailing twice in the second half, Mesa went on a 9-1 run to finish the game before City's Dee Dee Cooper hit an old-fashioned 3-point play at the buzzer to account for the final score.

Please click HERE to view the 2010-11 Women's Basketball Media Guide

10/01/10 - SAN DIEGO, CA - Over 100 fans came to support the 2010-11 Lady Olympians on Friday night during the 3rd Annual Midnight Madness event. The event went from 10 PM - 12:01 AM. The team was introduced first followed by a three-point contest, won by freshman Chanel Putras (Grossmont High School) who connected on 8/15 3's during the finals to win the event. After a dunk contest by the Men's team (won for the second straight year by Dee Hugie), the Lady Olympians scrimmaged the men, much to the delight of the crowd.

Midnight Madness was first started as an accident in 1971 by then Maryland Head Coach, Lefty Driesell who had his team gather at 12:01 on the first official day of practice in order to get a head start on the competition. And some 40 years later, the event has become a phenomenom. This midnight practice, which signifies the kickoff to the college basketball season, gives fans their first look at the new team and has been known to attract as many as 25,000 people.

SAN DIEGO, CA 8/05/10 Joy Edwards, who played an integral part in the 2007-08 10-4 Pacific Coast Conference second place finish has signed with Cal State San Bernardino. Edwards, who took two years off to improve her game and earn her Associate of Arts Degree is excited for this opportunity. "I'm so grateful that Coach Becker and San Bernardino believed in me despite taking two years off from basketball," said a jovial Edwards.

Edwards, who played scholastically at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, earned 1st-Team All-Conference laurels her sophomore campaign in 2007-08, averaging an impressive 15 points and 10 rebounds. "We are very proud of Joy," said Olympian Head Coach Michael Hootner. "Joy is committed to the classroom, an incredible athlete, and an even more amazing woman. I have no doubt that she will not only perform in the classroom and on the court at CSUSB but be an active and engaged member of the community," concluded Coach Hootner.

We currently have nearly 20 unedited Lady Olympian games up online from the last three years. There are two websites we are using. The first is, www.viddler.com and the second is, www.veoh.com. The advantage of watching the games on www.veoh.com is that you can watch the games on your Blackberry or iPhone. The clarity is amazing! If you choose to watch the games at Viddler, you'll see a search box at the top of the page. Type in one of the following:

"JEdwards1" (From 2007-08) or "AJamison1," (From 2008-09) or "AJamison2", (From 2008-09) or "TSpence1", (From 2008-09) or "AJamison3", (From 2009-10) or "AEley1", (From 2009-10) or "SWatson1" (From 2009-10) or "CCruz1" (From 2009-10) or "BSmith1" (From 2009-10) or "SJohnson1" (From 2009-10).

If you use Veoh, in the search box for the 2009-10 season, type in either, "AJamison3" or "SJohnson1". For 2010-11, type in "CPutras1", "KDekker1", "MCorreia1", "JBarbarin1", or "BPalmer1". "DWhite1" will be up by mid-January.

Veoh will be the site we use exclusively during the 2010-11 season. You may have to download the Veoh Media Player (Free) if you choose to watch the games at www.veoh.com if you have not done so already. This only takes a couple of minutes and again is free.

Some (unedited) games have one clip and some have two clips (and the games are in their entirety and unedited). Enjoy!

email coachhootner@gmail.com with questions.

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February 11-20/2010 is this year's Think Pink Week. Help the Lady Olympians raise awareness and money for this disease. Of the 220,000 women and men diagnosed with breast cancer every year, nearly 40,000 will die. Come join us February 16, for our final game of the season at 5 PM as we honor our three sophomores, Monique Correia, Bridgette Palmer, and Shelby Watson. For more information on Think Pink Week, go to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association website at: www.wbca.org.

The Men's and Women's Basketball programs will team up on Wednesday during their doubleheader (the Men play at Mesa at 5pm while the Women play at 7pm) to raise money for Haiti. In conjunction with Samaratinsfeet.org and www.redcross.org, you can donate money for this cause.

Men's Head Coach Ed Helscher and Women's Head Coach Michael Hootner will both coach barefoot to raise awareness for this very important cause. Coach Hootner will also coach barefoot on Friday, January 22, during their 7 PM home game versus Cuyamaca.

You can text, "SHOES" to 85944 to donate $5 (through Samaritan's Feet) or text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 (through the American Red Cross).

Lady Olympian Head Coach Michael Hootner visited the east coast during the Thanksgiving break to watch four former Lady Olympians in action at their new 4-year schools. Hootner first flew into New York City on Tuesday, 11/24, at roughly 12:30 PM. After walking around downtown New York for a couple of hours and visiting the 9/11 site and memorial, Hootner hopped on the #4 subway train to Bedford Park and 45 minutes later was in the Bronx, at Lehman College where he watched Kelsey Ash, Simone Byrd, and Jamie Franklin play host to SUNY New Paltz. "I'm so proud of these young ladies," Said Coach Hootner. "They are using basketball as a way to open doors for themselves. They have all grown so much. I'm very proud of them," concluded Coach Hootner.

After having dinner with the three Alumnae just up the street from Lehman, Hootner went to bed only to get up at 3:45 AM in order to make his 6 AM flight to Raleigh, North Carolina. Upon his arrival at 8:30 AM, Hootner rented a car and proceeded to Chapel Hill and the campus of the University of North Carolina. After visiting the campus for a few hours, Hootner made his way to the UNC basketball museum. "This was an incredible experience," said Coach Hootner. "To see the history of this school from Michael Jordan to Bobby Hurley to Dean Smith to Tyler Hansbrough was amazing," said Coach Hootner.

Coach Hootner then made his way to the Dean Dome which is where he would watch former Lady Olympian, Amanda Mills play the #4 team in the country. Her team lost but Mills finished with 10 points and is really living a dream. "It's been an unbelievable experience playing D1 ball," said Mills. "To have my education paid for and have the chance to travel around the country and play teams like North Carolina, Syracuse, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Alabama just to name a few is a dream come true. I owe it all to Mesa," said Mills. Coach Hootner is very proud of Mills. "We always believed Amanda could play at this level. We are very happy she is living her dream," added Coach Hootner.

After visiting with Mills after the game, Coach Hootner then made his way to Durham, North Carolina, site of Duke University. Although the campus was almost empty due to the break, Hootner hoped he'd have a chance to see Krzyzewskiville, and Cameron Indoor Stadium, where the Duke Blue Devils play their home basketball games. Sure enough, after checking every door in the building, the last one he checked was open. Hootner walked through the entire facility for the next hour and then sat inside this storied stadium by himself for the next 30 minutes. "It was my first time here and I wanted to take it all in," said Hootner. "So, I just sat there and looked at all the banners and the retired numbers in complete silence. There were a few flood lights on so you could see everything including "Coach K Court," and the Duke "D" at centercourt. I hope to one day come back and watch a game here but, if not, this was the next best thing," concluded Coach Hootner.

Hootner then made his way back to San Diego the next morning.