Mead steps up, but Vaqueros fall late
- Updated: January 3, 2018
2017 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
NATIONAL CITY (1-2-18) – Like the El Capitan girls basketball team, Francis Parker has had an up and down season, as well.
The Lancers were on a 2-game winning streak after knocking off Chula Vista quite easily at the Coronado Tourney and sliding into the Sweetwater New Year Classic on Tuesday to hang on to defeat the Lady Vaqueros, 51-47.
The Lady Vaqueros from El Capitan High should not be taken lightly.
Their record (3-10) is not indicative of how confident, athletic, and with how much heart this team plays with.
The record definitely doesn’t do this team of young women any justice, as this team plays with confidence, heart, and fire.
Tuesday afternoon, the Lady Vaqueros embarked on the highest scoring quarter of this young season of 13 games, with 24 points scored in the final quarter of the contest, while the Francis Parker offense was held to a mere 12 points.
The Lady Vaqueros came out of the gate a little sluggish, being held to only 6 in the first quarter and 10 in the 2nd quarter, putting Francis Parker (4-4) on top, 28-16, at the half.
The Lady Vaqueros battled back as they have most of the season, tying the contest up with 2 minutes left to play in the 4th quarter.
To add insult to injury, starting freshman SERENE WECKBACK was sick at home.
However, there is always light to squelch out any darkness that tries to fall upon this group of young athletes.
In Weckback’s absence, freshman KYLIE MEAD stepped up at the center position and scored a season high 23 points.
Talk about having a teammates back, very impressive.
“Kylie Mead played the best she has all season, not to mention that she was able to convert very well at the free throw line,” said Lady Vaqueros head coach DARIN CURTIS.
MACKENZIE CURTIS also struggled in the 1st half, but did finish the afternoon with a respectable 19 points.
“These tough, close games are teaching us what to do with 5.5 seconds left on the clock and down by 3,” Darin Curtis said.
“It is the type of knowledge that you cannot be taught, but knowledge you have to learn through trial and error,” said freshman Mackenzie Curtis.
Up next on the docket for the Lady Vaqueros is Imperial (7-3) at 6:00 pm tomorrow at Sweetwater High School.
“Imperial is a team that likes pressing, if we control the ball and be strong with it, I think we may have success,” stated Mackenzie Curtis.
