"Homecoming Game" in San Diego for Many Flames and Head Coach
Bethesda University's women's basketball coach Patty Medina will be making a stop in her hometown this weekend for a game at Grossmont College.
Medina, a San Diego native, will coach the Flames against San Diego Christian College in a special "High School Night" game on Saturday, Dec. 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Grossmont College. The SDCC athletic administration will be hosting complimentary entrance to all high school and junior college athletes wearing their school gear. Both organizations hope to fill the stands with supporters.
"Being able to coach my own team in the 'G-House' at Grossmont College is a special opportunity," Medina said. "There are so many memories there, not just for me but also for my team, my whole family, and the many people that helped shaped me as a coach and person."
BU (3-12) has lost three in a row in coach Patty Medina's first year, but no one is ready to declare the season a lost cause. San Diego Christian is currently having their best season in years as they are now 9-1.
"We are still a team that's trying to work towards being able to put together complete games," Medina said, "and be the team we are capable of being. It's about getting all five players on the same page and having an awareness of the situation." Despite the setbacks, Medina said she's hopeful and focused on the process of building on the long-term positive culture.
Coincidently, Medina has coached a few games at Grossmont College throughout the years but this will be her Head Coaching debut in San Diego. Her assistant coach, Aysia Randall, also played at San Diego Christian. Many of her incoming recruits, red-shirts and seniors are also from San Diego. "I think a lot of the talent in San Diego gets overlooked by local university coaches. I know Irvin Jerry loves the home grown talent but, aside from the athletes in his program, most leave San Diego. I am blessed to be in a position where I can give SD athletes another opportunity to continue to play." Three of Medina's five starters are from San Diego and claims that she will continue recruiting from her hometown for as long as she's coaching.
The following active athletes all hail from San Diego:
SR: DQ Townsend - Crawford High School/Saddleback College
JR: Gabby Robledo - Olympian High School/Southwestern College
JR: Brianna Davis - Otay Ranch High School/Southwestern College
JR: Taylor Smalley - Eastlake High School/Southwestern College
SO: Nayely Sanchez - Sweetwater High School/Redwoods College
The following redshirts are also from San Diego:
Alonia Clay - Horizon High School
Anastacia Rodriguez - Sweetwater High School
LaJaye Gray - Sweetwater High School
Angie Steel - Kearny High School