MOORPARK COLLEGE NOTES: MOORPARK REGROUPS AFTER BANNER YEAR.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

Duplicating last year's run to the final eight of the state playoffs might be difficult for the Moorpark College women's basketball team.

But Raiders coach Sherry Ruter is optimistic that her team will become a factor this year as the new season progresses.

``We're a completely different team,'' Ruter said. ``We lost four starters.''

The starter who returns is 6-foot center Melissa Shoden, a graduate of Newbury Park High School.

Joining her in a starting lineup that features three guards are forward Janim Halsey (Newbury Park) and guards Alofa Tuimoloau, co-MVP of the Marmonte League last season at Channel Islands, Christina Mosesso (Simi Valley) and Rachel Rough (Royal).

``We're pretty well balanced,'' Ruter said. ``We can scored down low or on the wing.''

Ruter added that the team will stress an up-tempo offense that will rely on its speed and quickness. ``We have to do that,'' she said. ``We're a short team. But besides Canyons most of the teams in the conference lack height.''

In the Raiders' opening game, an 86-72 victory against Golden West on Tuesday, Shoden had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Monsesso, whose sister Angela is also on the team, led the team with 22 points in her college debut. Halsey led with 13 rebounds.

``We had a good showing, we scored 86 points,'' Ruter said. ``I expect a lot of this team. We have talent and the girls work hard in practice it's a matter of putting it together.''

Others on the team include Tara O'Donnell, Megan McAdam, Michelle Frankson, Shaunte Johnson, Hortensia Ruiz and Rebeka Beteivaz.

The team's next game is Nov. 29 at Grossmont College in El Cajon. The Hartnell tournament is Dec. 4-6 and the L.A. Valley tournament follows Dec. 11-13.

Volleyball:The women's volleyball team failed in its chance to move into a tie for the Western State Conference Northern Division lead when it lost in three games to Santa Barbara 15-13, 15-12, 15-11.

Santa Barbara handed the team its other loss in division play and two of its three overall.

The Raiders are 14-3, 5-2 and finish conference play Friday at home against Cuesta.

Football: Carl Richardson tied a state record with six rushing touchdowns in the football team's 63-32 victory over L.A. Harbor.

It tied the record set by George Jones - now with the Pittsburgh Steelers - at Bakersfield College in 1994 and Terence Wilson of Laney earlier this season.

The national record of seven, set in 1986, is held by Putzer Dayton of Coffeyville, Kan.

The Raiders (5-4, 3-1) need a victory to tie for the Western State Conference Southern Division and a possible shot at a bowl game.

This and that: Raiders wrestlers will be at West Valley College in Saratoga near San Jose this weekend competing in the state tournament. . . . The men's and women's cross country teams will compete in the state championship race Saturday.

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PHOTO Keline Jacobsen and her Moorpark teammates failed to move into a first-place tie.

Tina Gerson / Daily News