Shootout preview: California, South Callaway girls starting a rivalry

The California Lady Pintos and the South Callaway Lady Bulldogs aren't necessarily natural rivals on the basketball court.

But the schedule makers have turned it into one.

"It's one we've had circled and one we're excited to play," California coach Bobby Sangster said as the Lady Pintos get set to take on the Lady Bulldogs a 2:30 p.m. today in the River Region Credit Union Shootout at Fleming Fieldhouse.

South Callaway and California met twice last season. In the Shootout, California posted a 55-39 victory before South Callaway came back to win 57-49 in the semifinals of the Class 3 District 9 Tournament.

"We know California is going to bring everything they've got and we're going to try to return the favor," South Callaway coach Darren Humphrey said.

"We want to show a little better basketball than the last time we played them," Sangster said.

South Callaway captured the district title last season on their way to advancing to the quarterfinals of the state tournament before falling to eventual state champion Strafford.

Last year's success has heightened hopes for this season for the Lady Bulldogs.

"Our expectations are high," Humphrey said. "We set our goals high to start the season and we hope to achieve those goals."

The Lady Bulldogs (3-0, ranked No. 5 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association) returns all five starters from that team, including all-state selection Paige Clubb.

"That has a tendency to help things," Humphrey said. "But we have a lot of young talent that's come up, there are four really good freshmen that are going to help this program down the road."

Sangster is expecting a tough challenge this afternoon from the Lady Bulldogs, who defeated Class 3 No. 9 Hermann 60-55 on the road Thursday night.

"They just have weapons all over the floor," he said. "They are a little deeper this year and it's going to be a great test."

California (3-2) brings back three starters from last year. The Lady Pintos are going through a bit of a learning process at the start of the season.

"We're riding the roller coaster, but we're young and that's going to happen," Sangster said. "But we're learning and getting there.

"Hopefully we're going to do a lot more climbing and a lot less going up and down as the season goes along. It's good for the learning process to play a team like South Callaway."

The Lady Bulldogs are expecting a difficult contest this afternoon with the Lady Pintos.

"They are big and powerful and they have a lot to work with this season," Humphrey said. "It should be an exciting matchup."

There is a second potential matchup again this season as California and South Callaway are both assigned to Class 3 District 9.

"It's a big game to begin with, then you add the emphasis of having potential postseason implications with seeding, it makes it monumental for us," Sangster said.

South Callaway is happy to be in the Shootout again.

"It's a great showcase for a lot of local talent, not only on our team, but those from around the area," Humphrey said. "It's a great opportunity for us and the other teams to showcase what we can do in front of a great crowd in a great venue."