The Cosumnes River College women’s basketball team will begin the playoffs Feb. 24 at home against the Laney College Eagles.

The Hawks finished the season with a 20–7 record and placed second in the Big 8 Conference, its best finish ever.

Although the Hawks are coming off a loss in the conference championship, head coach Coral Sage said they look to regroup and play strong going into the playoffs.

“We’re kind of bummed about that,” Sage said.  “However the playoffs are a new season.  It’s win or go home.”

The eighth seeded Hawk’s will begin the opening round of the playoffs when they face off against the ninth seeded Eagles who finished the season with a 24-6 record.

Sage knows the importance of playing strong in the playoffs and has had her team hard at work in practice leading up to Friday.

“We need to execute on offense a little better, so we are going to work on that,” Sage said.

From the beginning of the season, the Hawks set out with two main goals: to finish first in the Big 8 and win the State Championship, Sage said.  After their strong finish in the conference, they are more determined than ever to achieve their final goal.

An extra incentive for the Hawks to play well in the playoffs is the potential to win the State Championship on its home court. The 2012 State Championship will be held at CRC, which provides added excitement to the coaches and players.

“That would be the ultimate,” Sage said.  “We are the only team in the state with that opportunity, so to win state at home would be the coolest thing.”

Sage emphasized that the Hawks will take it one game at a time, but through teamwork, great play and solid coaching, the CRC women’s basketball team has an opportunity to dance on their home court as state champions.