Athlete of the Week

A product of 's class of 2008, Patricia Malaspina is making a name for herself as a basketball all star at the College of San Mateo.

"So far this season she is averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds per game," said womens basketball coach Michelle Warner. "To average a double-double in points and rebounds in college basketball is quite a feat."

She said that the competition is going to have a hard time shutting her down.

 "She is a versatile player. She can handle the ball, drive, pass, shoot and rebound well," Warner said. "Other teams and coaches have referred to her as a 'beast.'"

Michele Mughannam: How did basketball become an interest of yours?

Patricia Malaspina: I have two brothers, and we all played sports when we were younger. I played soccer, softball, baseball, volleyball… everything...I went to  [of Siena School] in Burlingame and they didn't have a soccer program there. I played basketball and volleyball every year. I was just about average in everything else, but excelled in basketball and softball.

MM: Tell me how and when you decided you wanted to pursue basketball.

PM: I wanted to play basketball out of high school, but I was better at softball. I tried to walk on to UNR [University of Nevada, Reno]. When I got there, the softball coach had left, so I was there not really doing much for a semester. I decided to come back and go to CSM and play softball. I talked to Michelle and asked her if I could play [basketball] for her, and also if there was a possibility of playing softball in the spring, as well. She was open to it. I worked out all spring of 2009. I played 2009-2010 with her freshman team. I didn't play softball last season because I was super into basketball.

MM: What is the team looking to improve upon for this season?

PM: This year we have four returning sophomores, and 11 freshmen. We need to work on chemistry. It's slowly progressing. The freshmen are getting better about it. Tournaments on the road help because we get used to each other, and that reflects in our games. We practice hard and our mechanics get better.

MM: What do you think your team is best at?

PM: We work really hard. We're a tough team and we have a great attitude. We're not catty; we don't start fights, and we have a great temperament. We're focused and we get work done.

MM: What do you think you, personally, need to work on this year?

PM: I need to work on my defense. I'd like to work on playing the three spot as well.

MM: What do you do well at?

PM: Shooting.

MM: What skills, aside from the obvious technique and mechanics, did you get from your coaches at BHS that have proven beneficial while playing at the junior college level?

PM: When I played with [my coach] Gabby she taught me to never give up. She taught me to just keep going despite pain. She taught me work ethic and that mindset is important. I'll go into games now telling myself I'm the biggest and the best and nobody can beat me.

MM: What major differences have you noticed between high school basketball and junior college?

PM: In high school there were teams with two or three good players, and we'd play to defend those people. Now, those two or three good players are the ones who've gone on to play in the junior college level, and junior college teams are full of good players who play a vital role for their teams. Even the teams that aren't that good aren't even blow out teams; they've got some fight in them.

MM: Which teams were your biggest competition last year?

PM: Santa Rosa is a good team. City College, and Foothill. Mission and Sierra College have it out for us, too. We beat them at the Shasta Tournament last year.

MM: Which three components do you think your team needs to focus on in order to make it to playoffs this year?

PM: Turnovers are our big thing. We average 20 turnovers a game. Turnovers are our biggest problem. We also need to work on our shooting. Three point shooting needs some work. Our defense also needs work. There are games where our defense is good, but its not consistent.

MM: So this is your last year of eligibility. What are your plans for the future?

PM: I want to play for a D1 or D2 school. I don't have any specific schools in mind, but I'm talking to a few in Florida, Alabama and Colorado, and I'd like to get into nursing.