Corley has debutante game, but Matadors fall in OT

By ECS Staff
Updated: March 4, 2016

Michelle Corley had 13 points and four rebounds for Mount Miguel on Thursday night.

2015-16 PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL – SDCIF PLAYOFF

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com

SPRING VALLEY (3-4-16) — The Mount Miguel Matadors have scrambled to the end of the San Diego CIF Open Division consolation encounters. They have been locked in to a pair of one-point decisions – one yea, one nay.

Of course, when you’re involved in games as close as that you can always replay them in your mind and figure out how you could have won them both.

On the flip side, your opponents must have felt the same way.

Thursday’s (Mar. 3) Open Division consolation contest was a biting setback for the Matadors (20-11), who lost in the final second of overtime 52-51 to visiting Westview.

Trailing by 2 points Mount Miguel freshman MICHELLE CORLEY was fouled and stepped to the free throw line with the Wolverines clinging to a 52-50 lead with 4.8 seconds remaining. Corley nailed the first charity shot and appeared to be on target for the game tying second free throw. However, after bouncing and rolling around the rim, the ball ricocheted off, thus giving Westview (25-6) the victory.

“I was sure that Corley’s second shot was going in,” said Mount Miguel coach ROBBIE SANDOVAL. “It just circled around and spun out. But I have to say this for Corley, she did a great job for us.”

Corley dropped in 13 points to share the scoring lead with SATERA BATES.

There was some talk around the county about consolation games that don’t have much impact among the players.

“That’s not true. This game meant a lot to us – we wanted to win it,” said Bates. “I played as hard as I can and so did my teammates. If we had won the game it would have helped out state seeding.”

Bates had to earn her points as Westview triple-teamed her.

“When they tried to smother me I was able to get my teammates more involved,” she added.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half as the Matadors netted only 7 of 22 (32 percent) shots from the floor. On the opposite end Westview was only 6 of 26 (23 percent), which left the Matadors nursing a 17-15 halftime edge at the break.

Mount Miguel stretched its advantage to 36-31 on a bucket by Bates. But after that the Matadors began reeling although the game was knotted at 40-all on another bucket by Bates.

The game was tied 12 times – it was that close.

For the Wolverines, Amanda Krysl scored a team high 16 points including 4 treys. It was her layup in the final seconds that gave Westview a 52-50 lead they would not lose. Not to be overlooked was Tony Magalei who fired in 15 points including 3 triples.

Despite losing, Mount Miguel will advance to the Division II State CIF Playoffs on Wednesday (Mar. 9) against an opponent and site to be determined.

Mount Miguel: Satera Bates 13 (7 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk), Michelle Corley 13 (4 reb, 1 stl), Camara Douglas 7 (8 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Destini Anderson 7 (5 reb), Tiaja Bennett 6 (3 reb, 1 ast), Rozlyn Pierce 3 (14 reb, 2 blk), Amber Hard 2 (3 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl).