This is a landmark year for Pomona Athletic Director Mike Santarelli. Not only is he now the school's permanent athletic administrator but he is also the girls' varsity basketball coach. "I've coached for years, and when the opportunity came up, I thought I'd give it a try," he explained.

He also mentioned that coaching is a good way to get involved with the school, to get to know some of the students and not just work in an office. Santarelli said, "There's not a whole lot of free time," but at least winter is the least busy of all the seasons.

"Our primary goal is to be ready for playoffs in February," said Santarelli speaking of the varsity girls' team. As of January 10, the girls had won three games and lost five.

The squad beat Range View, Thornton, and Westminster, but Monarch beat Pomona twice, and was also beaten by Smoky Hill, Grand Junction, and Air Academy.

The 29-60 defeat at the hand of Monarch was played on December 1 and then on December 8 Pomona lost to Air Academy 35-47. At home the Panthers were back in the game and beat Range View in overtime with a score of 47-45, December 12. At Smoky Hill High School the Panthers lost 18-60. At Westminster, January 5, the girls won 63-48.

At the Fairview Invitational Tournament, the Panthers lost to Monarch once again, 33-60, and also to Grand Junction, 37-51. However, they were triumphant against Thornton, and beat them with a score of 60-26.

"The season doesn't really start til the end of February," stated Santarelli. He explained that the goal is for the team to "peak" in their performances on the court in February.

"We've gotten better each week," said Santarelli. He also explained that the team's first real important challenge was the first league game against Dakota Ridge on January 12.

Unfortunately, Pomona lost at Dakota Ridge 44-49. "They played well enough to win, but some fundamental mistakes caught up with us," said Santarelli. But he reiterated the fact that Jeffco is a strong league.

On January 16, the Panthers had their second league game against Columbine. The team was beat 55-62 and according to Santarelli, it was basically the same thing as the Dakota Ridge game. Santarelli explained, "We're giving other teams too many opportunities and not taking advantage of their mistakes."

On January 19, the team played at Chatfield and got "pretty well hammered," according to Santarelli, with a score of 73-36. However, Santarelli still believes the girls are getting better as a team.

But then the Panthers got a chance to play in their home school against Golden and had a breakthrough victory, 54-28, on January 23. A couple days later, the girls won yet again on Green Mountain's turf, 61-58.

Pomona's junior varsity and third level girls' teams are also off to a slow start. The JV team had won two games and lost six as of January 10. They also lost both of their league games. Their wins were against Westminster and Grand Junction; the squad lost twice to Monarch, and once each to Range View, Smoky Hill, Air Academy, and Thornton.

As for the youngest players, the third level girls team had not won a game as of January 10, however, Santarelli stated, "They're really young, and getting better."

Also coaching the varsity team is assistant coach Ken Hiatt. Varsity team members include Palmer Mason, Krista Mahuron, Tobi Gibson, Jenna Marvin, Sara Zach, Stacey Crawford, Nicole Boyles, Obi Ikwuakor, Cassandra Bratton, Tiffany Christenson, and Sarah Foote.

Patty Overfelt is the JV coach, Deanna Blaser, Joelle Rofrano, Courtney Neblett, Danay Powers, Danielle Heronema, Emily Garnhart, Becky Yutzy, Amy Reuscher, and Stevie Rhiannin are the JV players.

As for the young, third level team, Ty Firsching is the coach of players Lisa Foster, Kristy Cosper, Emily Osiecki, Erica Johnson, Sarah Schmidt, Jackie Overfelt, Elizabeth Stevens, Alyssa Horrigan, Heather Coupens, Allison Anders, Ashlie Verzuh, and Casie Richardson.