Matadors, Patriots lead tourney winners
- Updated: December 7, 2017
2017 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
SPRING VALLEY (12-6-2017) -When Mount Miguel Lady Matadors coach ROBBIE SANDOVAL was questioned about how he broke down film on each opponent, Sandoval responded, “I spend time educating our girls on our game plan and what our goals are.”
It took a bit for the Matadors to knock the rust off as it took over 2 minutes to score in the 1st quarter of play.
However by the end of the 1st quarter, the Lady Matadors found their groove, leading Montgomery 17-2.
The Matadors rolled to another victory, 63-24, and improved to 5-0 overall.
Turnovers is what really started the rout of the visiting Aztecs.
The score at the half was in favor of the Matadors, 32-5.
The Aztecs would only score 17 more points in the next 2 quarters, with key steals and just lights out defense for the Lady Matadors.
“This is the best shooting team I’ve coached in over 6 years,” said Sandoval. “We have 5 girls on our squad that can all hit 3’s, and that is very rare.”
TIAJA BENNETT, according to Coach Sandoval has been playing some fierce defense.
Freshman SYLENA PETERSON and senior CAMERA DOUGLAS have also been standout players, according to Sandoval.
“We will now prepare to play Olympian, who like all teams that play us, bring their best,” Sandoval added.
The Lady Matadors have still been one of the elite teams, even with a few key injuries, they are still ranked No. 5 in the county.
The Lady Matadors (4-0) take on Olympian (1-1) at Mount Miguel on Thursday, December, 7th at 7 pm.
CHRISTIAN 75, ORANGE GLEN 30 – The Christian High Lady Patriots won their fifth-straight to open the season thanks to an early 18-6 in the first quarter at the Maranatha Christian Tournament.
Christian put on the afterburners late, outscoring Orange Glen, 30-3, in the fourth quarter. It won’t be long until the Patriots start moving up the rankings.
Freshman KRISTEN WILLIAMS was 9-of-18 from three-point range en route to 31 points for the Patriots.
But Williams had something special working in the fourth quarter, nailing six treys.
“We had players like JAZMYN CRAWFORD and RAELYN MUECA step up today,” Christian coach VICKI CARRINGTON said. “And we had a great defensive effort by BRITTANY TATE.”
Sophomore forward SIMONE JAMES helped a second-half effort offensively with 11 of her 14 points after intermission. She finished with eight rebounds.
“First half we kind of played lethargic and got a second wind in the second half,” Carrrington said. “Our players are starting to gel – we have a young group with veteran baller mentality.”
Crawford had eight of her 10 points in the first half and finished with five steals, while Mueca finished with 11 points and five assists.
Sophomore HANNA RICHARDSON grabbed six rebounds.
“It’s going to be fun watching them grow together over the next few years,” Carrington said. “Our coaches are extremely blessed and pleased with our progress. We are working very, very hard to develop our players and teach them the game of basketball.”
The Patriots next face Mater Dei Catholic in a Matador Classic game next Tue., Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.
MIRA MESA 77, HELIX 41 – At Mira Mesa, the Marauders 27-6 late in the first quarter, then led 31-8 with 6:46 left in the first half and cruised to the victory at the San Diego Hoops Report Tournament.
Helix trailed 37-10 wtih 5:11 left in the first half.
Helix (1-3) meets O’Farrell Charter next on Friday at home at 7.
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 56, VINCENT MEMORIAL 40 – ARICIA BOYD turned in another outstanding scoring performance with 19 points as the Red Hawks won at home to improve to 4-0.
KAREN CORTEZ added 11 points for Mountain Empire, while Mountain Empire’s ALYSSA NOLAND added 10 points.
Sophomore BELLA PICKRELL added nine points for the Lady Red Hawks.
The Red Hawks will try to extend their win streak on Thursday at home against San Diego Jewish Academy at 4.
MORSE 65, EL CAJON VALLEY 41 – The Braves lost in the Matador JV and Varsity Tournament and fell to 1-4 overall.
