Perfect Patriots send message in league
- Updated: February 16, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
LA JOLLA – The Christian High Patriots have a big message for all their fans following Thursday night’s Central League season finale win over the host La Jolla Vikings.
That’s right, the Lady Pats wrapped up their undefeated league season by knocking off the Vikings, 63-37.
In addition to the perfect 10-0 mark, Christian finished the regular season 18-9 overall.
It is the Patriots’ first league title since 2006 when the Lady Pats won the Central League.
“I am excited to say we are undefeated league champs because we put in extra hours after practice,” said Christian’s ZOE NORDLING, who had six points. “La Jolla was tough in the beginning and we had underestimated them. It was a battle in the first half.”
SIMONE JAMES scored 18 points for Christian and was hot with eight second-quarter points.
“Tonight’s game was important because it gave us a chance to go undefeated in league,” said James, a sophomore. “We showed how much our team gelled since the beginning of the season. Our defense rally helped us tonight and it has been a focus in practice so much that you can see the outcome on the court.”
The Vikings started nicely with first quarter leads of 6-2, 10-5 and 12-7, to lead 16-13 at the end of the first quarter.
“We have worked very hard to get to this point so we weren’t going to stop tonight even though our shots weren’t falling,” HANNAH RICHARDSON said. “We had to rely on our defense. We played with a lot of heart in tonight’s game. We need to keep up our aggressive defense and attack the basketball.”
Nordling made a field goal in the second quarter to put the Patriots ahead 21-18.
Freshman KRISTEN WILLIAMS added 15 points for the Patriots, including six in the fourth quarter.
“‘One band, one sound’ is our motto,” Williams said. “It was definitely a team effort tonight. We are bonding so well, we can’t wait for what the rest of this season has to come and for the future, as well, including all four years for me.”
RAELYN MUECA stepped up with key buckets in each of the first three quarters. Her bucket in the second quarter extended Christian’s lead to 28-18.
Christian led 33-22 at halftime before pulling away in the second half.
“This is a new team and this is our first year of playing together so I am really proud of how we are doing,” Mueca said. “We played more patient tonight and we didn’t have many turnovers. We have come a really long way and put a lot of work in during practice and on our own and it really pays off.”
The Patriots are a top contender for the upcoming Division 3 championship, likely holding one of the top seeds for a home court advantage.
“Our next goal is to prepare for the playoffs,” James said. “I’m so glad God saw a fit for us to be together and I’m thankful for all the hard work and dedication that my teammates have put in.”
