Eagles secure crucial Hills League win over Highlanders

By Ramon Scott
Updated: February 13, 2016

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

By Ramon Scott
© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (2-13-16) — MICAYELA HERNANDEZ knocked down a pair of three-pointers midway through the fourth quarter to help host Granite Hills rally and turn back the Helix Highlanders, 45-41, to remain in contention for the outright Grossmont Hills League title.

The Highlanders forced several turnovers in the first half, as the Eagles played much of their second team over the first 16 minutes. Helix took advantage of the less-experienced lineup for a 22-18 lead at halftime.

The Highlanders claimed a 26-20 advantage, but the Eagles made one of several threes in the second half to make it 26-23. Granite scored the next basket to cut it to 26-25. Helix, however, would eventually extend its biggest lead to 32-25 in the third quarter before Granite Hills made it 32-31 at the end of the session.

The Eagles’ DIAMOND HOLLIS spurred the hosts in the third quarter, as she took over the scoring lead.

Granite Hills’ top unit was in there during the end of the third quarter, however, and turned up the defense to get things rolling.

Hernandez knocked down her third triple of the game to give the Eagles a 36-34 lead in the fourth. She then hit another three to make it 39-36 with 3:34 left in the game.

EMMA KUBARI and Hollis both added three-pointers near the end of the game to help the Eagles’ cause.

TALIAH HOOKER paced Helix with 15 points, while DANIELLE SIMMONS added 10 along with 5 rebounds and 3 blocks.
The win sets up a major title showdown with Mount Miguel next Friday (Feb. 19) in Spring Valley at 5:30.

In the meantime, however, both Helix and Granite Hills will participate in Monday’s (Feb. 15) President’s Day Classic at Mater Dei Catholic High in SouthBay. Helix will play Otay Ranch at 2 p.m., while Granite Hills will follow that act by taking on Montgomery at 3:30.

Granite Hills: Micayela Hernandez 18 (5 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl), Diamond Hollis 12 (2 reb, 3 stl), Emma Kubari 5 (4 ast), Raelleah Moore 4 (7 reb, 3 stl), Kani Kubari 2 (4 reb), Miranda Brown 2, Shanice Lacey 2, Delaney Casey (5 reb, 1 ast), Casey Robles (1 ast, 1 stl).

Helix: Taliah Hooker 15 (1 reb, 1 ast), Danielle Simmons 10 (5 reb, 1 ast, 3 blk), Taylor Garret 7 (1 ast, 1 blk, 2 stl), Kaliah King 5 (1 reb), Cam Owens 4 (5 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk, 1 stl), Janae White (2 reb, 1 blk).

— Ramon Scott, © East CountySports.com

Valhalla’s Alexa Somo, a junior, is guarded by Steele Canyon Friday night at The Thunderdome. / photo by EastCountySports.com

VALHALLA 42, STEELE CANYON 21 – Valhalla jumped out to a 15-2 first-quarter lead and ended up doubling up on visiting Steele Canyon, 42-21, at The Thunderdome on Friday night (Feb. 12) in Grossmont Valley League action.

MELANIE YOUSIF had a rebound and a putback to complete a three-point play in the first to put the Norsemen up 7-1, forcing a quick Steele Canyon timeout. Yousif had six points in the opening eight minutes and then Valhalla would build a 19-6 lead midway through the second quarter.

BIANCA GORGES had four points and a blocked shot to help set the tone in the first quarter, while senior guard TIANA SILVER scored a pair of buckets midway through the second quarter.

ALEXA SOMO had a three-pointer in the first quarter for Valhalla.

ELIZABETH BOTT had a pair of steals in the first quarter for the Cougars. SteeleCanyon played without two starters, suspended for an altercation in the Santana game.

Valhalla remained in contention for a share of the Valley title behind the first-place Grossmont Foothillers with two games left. The Norse host Santana on Tuesday (Feb. 16).

Valhalla: No scoring/stats available.

Steele Canyon: No scoring/stats available.

— Ramon Scott, © East CountySports.com

EL CAPITAN 29, EL CAJON VALLEY 24 – In a hotly contested Grossmont Valley League contest, Friday (Feb. 12) the El Capitan Vaqueros pulled out a 29-24 squeaker against the visiting El Cajon Valley Braves.

Pretty much even as both teams went back and forth in the first half as the Vaqueros were able to cling to a slim 12-8 lead at the break. Both teams were pretty much even again in the third but the Vaqueros would lead 19-14 after three periods thanks to outscoring the Braves 7-6 in the third period.

The Vaqueros were led by MARIE COOK who took advantage of the opportunities given as she canned 8 field goals including 4-5 from the charity stripe en route to scoring 23 points on the night.

For the Braves it was LEANNA WATSON who tried to keep her team in the contest but she wasn’t able to do much as she was limited to only 9 points on the night thanks to constant double teams defensively by the Vaqueros.

In a fast and furious final period on both teams part, the Vaqueros would withstand a charge by the Braves and Cook would come through in a most critical time with about 3:00 minutes remaining as she nailed a key three-pointer.

The contest would come down to the final minute as El Capitan would be able to put the game away when the Braves fouled Cook and she nailed both foul shots.

El Cajon Valley: Leanna Watson 9 (5 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl), Mary Awadich 7 (6 reb, 1 stl), Titishia Clemons 4 (2 reb, 2 stl), Sumaya Hameed (7 reb, 3 stl), Kaheen Hassan (2 reb, 3 stl).

El Capitan: Marie Cook 23, Taylor Fagan 4, Sarah Lohman 2.

MOUNT MIGUEL 78, MONTE VISTA 13 – SATERA BATES poured in 23 points, along with her teammates CAMARA DOUGLAS canning 14 and DESTINI ANDERSON drilling in 11 to roll the visiting Matadors past the hapless Monarchs in Friday’s (Feb. 12) Grossmont Hills League action.

Mount Miguel after the first half led the Monarchs 54-7 making it look more like a football game than a basketball contest.

The second half was more of the same as the Matadors outscored Monte Vista 24-6 in which a running clock was used.

Mount Miguel: Satera Bates 23 (3 reb, 5 ast, 7 stl, 1 blk), Camara Douglas 14 (7 reb), Destini Anderson 11 (8 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl), Amber Hard 8 (3 reb, 1 ast), Rozlyn Pierce 8 (7 reb, 1 ast), Tiaja Bennett 6 (1 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl), Nya Naga 5 (1 stl, 1 blk), Michelle Corley 2 (3 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl), Zaria Arline (4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl).