Reloaded Pirates prepped for another strong season

COSTA MESA -- For a team that has won two state championships and reach the state title game three years in a row, standards have been set and for the Orange Coast College women's basketball team, the lofty goals of teams from the past are guiding this year's group as the 2025-26 season gets underway on Friday.

"As of now, we are looking very young, but I'm also seeing a very good team with the ability to do so many different things on the floor," OCC head coach Sammy Doucette said. "We've got a much bigger roster in terms of number of people but it's also a very talented roster with a talented group of freshmen and some key returning players. I like the ability that I'll have to mix and match early on to find the right combination on the floor for whomever we play. It's a competitive group, it's been a fun preseason and we can't wait to get out there and compete."

With just two players returning from last year's sophomore-heavy 27-6 state runners-up squad, the Pirates are excited to welcome back guards Melaiah Joseph and Kayla Borgelt.

Joseph was OCC's leading scorer as a freshman last year, averaging 13.5 points per game to go along with 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, earning second-team, All-Orange Empire Conference honors for her efforts.

"Melaiah is looking older and wiser and stronger this year," Doucette said. "I think she's still going to be a big scoring threat for us, but I think she's also learned to facilitate and she's got lots of scoring pieces around her, so I think we will see a more complete, all-around player this year," Doucette said.

Borgelt was a part-time starter for the Pirates last year, who averaged 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, playing in all 33 games with 12 starts. "Like Melaiah, Kayla is the same ... older, wiser, stronger and more confident," Doucette said. "Both of my returners have done an outstanding job of becoming leaders with this group and setting the example for all of these freshmen."

Joining OCC's sophomore duo among the top players for the Pirate freshmen include 5'9 guard McKenzie Gillman, 6-foot-4 center Karley Waite and 5'5 freshman Elise Marquez. 

"Elise was with us last year, but got hurt in the preseason so we are excited to have her back to see what she can do for us," Doucette said of Marquez. "As for Karley, all you have to do is see '6'4' on the roster and know what she's bringing to the table ... lots of size down low and her ability to produce well down low as well. McKenzie comes from Moreno Valley HS so she's used to playing a fast, up-tempo, physical style of basketball and she can definitely do all of those things for us."

The spoils for Doucette continue down the roster as the Pirates can bring in another "starting five" of talent, including guards Madisyn Foulk, Serina Patel, Bianca Carter, Andrea Rico and forward Sydney Sloan. "With the depth these five can bring to those other five, it's really going to allow us to play fast and play aggressive," Doucette said. "We've got a lot of shooters in this group, we've got a lot of inside game. The X-factor is ... we've got all the pieces and can play any style of basketball we want. But, we need to be able to do it as a team and we are still trying to figure out THAT piece of the puzzle. There's a lot of talent, but we need everyone to play together and buy in to what we are doing. If we don't have that, then we will be inconsistent until we do."

Continuing with the depth and talent of the Pirate roster include guard Lexi Mercado, forward Lola Bellon and guard Nicole Uballe ... all of whom could also break into this top tier of this roster and be major contributors for the Pirates, according to Doucette. 

"Both of them have very high basketball IQs, with Lexi being a 5'7 guard and Lola being a 6'0 forward, they both bring something different to the group," Doucette said. "Lexi is still working her way back from an injury, but once she's ready, I see her as someone who will break into that rotation of ours. Same with Lola -- as soon as she gets back up to speed and gets more consistent, she will only make our entire team better. Nicole is a super-physical, relentless player who is one of our hardest-working players on the team. She'll do whatever needs to be done for the team and once we find that place for her, she will be a key player for us. There are plenty of options to choose from, which is great."

With a past history of 3-point shooters and working her offense from the inside to the outside, this year's group might have a different feel to it with NINE players 5'9 or taller. But, according to Doucette -- as the old saying goes -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

"While we do have a lot of size, we also have a tremendously talented group of guards, so I think we will have a nice balance of shooting, driving and post this year," Doucette said. "If the defense takes away our shooters, our post players will have a field day, but if they sag down to stop them, we've got a bunch of really good shooters. It's going to be tough to take away everything, if we play the way I think we're capabile of playing."

So, with all of the talent in the world, now it's up to Doucette and her players to figure out the best formula to bring the best out of this talented and deep squad.

"The key for us will be everyone buying into their roles, buying into each other's success as well as their own success and if we do that, the scoreboard will take care of itself," Doucette said. "I think mentally, I'm still trying to figure out their toughness ... they're young and they're learning quickly. But it's a very talented group and the sky is the limit with them."