GIRLS: Foothillers’ Funk in a groove
- Updated: January 3, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
NATIONAL CITY – Grossmont High’s SARAH FUNK is an elite club soccer player but on Wednesday, the sophomore was in a groove for the Foothillers’ girls varsity basketball squad.
Funk scored 10 points, had three assists and made three steals, as the ninth-ranked Hillers defeated visiting Valhalla, 72-18, in a non-league contest.
Funk got to showcase her developing court game with Grossmont senior star MARISSA GILES, who had 30 points, including five three-pointers, and seven steals, as the Foothillers improved to 11-3.
“I wanted to show what I am capable of,” Funk said. “I was glad I was with Marissa at the same time on the court. I feel like we work well with each other. She brings out a certain style of play in the way I play basketball.
“I’m more known for my for my passes and defense, so I was excited to put some points up. It really helped me boost my confidence.”
Grossmont was never headed in this one but with regulars still recovering from illness, injury and fatigue over the December tournament season, the Hillers were able to give several players more court time in this one.
Sophomore ANYSSSA CHARGUALAF added eight points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals for GHS, while sophomore teammate DANECA PEREZ had eight points, five steals, and three rebounds.
Funk’s future may be on the pitch but the fundamentals remain the same for the two-sport athlete.
“I have to work on my dribbling (in basketball),” said Funk, who carries a 3.3 GPA. “Knowing when to dribble and when to pass. I am so used to moving and running, so I have to know to slow down sometimes.”
Junior AMELIA ELLIOTT had six points and four rebounds for the Hillers.
EL CAPITAN 67, SWEETWATER 21 – Sophomore MACKENZIE CURTIS scored 30 points to lead the 19th-ranked Vaqueros in an early contest victory at the Sweetwater New Year’s Classic.
EMMA DRISKILL added 10 points for El Cap, while teammates TIFFANY BICKFORD contributed eight points and KYLIE MEAD scored all seven of her points in the fourth quarter.
El Capitan, which improved to 10-5, led 23-10 after one quarter, then held the host Red Devils to just one point in the second quarter.
OTAY RANCH 70, MONTE VISTA 43 – Monte Vista senior SARA TAHA scored 19 points, but the Monarchs fell at the Sweetwater New Year’s Classic against the eighth-ranked Mustangs.
Senior TORRI HONORE added nine points for Monte Vista (6-8).
Senior ALYSSA MEDRANO had a three-pointer for the Monarchs.
“The girls had a great attitude,” Monte Vista coach SABRINA JIMENEZ said. “The bench and starters were very active which should result in a much better tournament at Sweetwater.
Otay Ranch (11-1) led 23-12 after one quarter, then increased the lead to 36-23 by halftime.
“The seniors did great but couldn’t finish around the rim,” Jimenez said. “We started and ended the game strong.”
The Mustangs were deadly from downtown, making 11 three-pointers in the contest.
“We are used to playing gap defense and it was hard to defend such top scorers,” Jimenez said.
