Vaqueros’ defense doin’ some stampin’
- Updated: February 13, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
LAKESIDE – El Capitan sophomore MACKENZIE CURTIS scored all of her 18 points in the first half to help the Lady Vaqueros cruise to a 59-25 victory over the Montgomery Aztecs in the first round of the San Diego CIF Division II playoffs on Tuesday night.
Curtis had a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter and scored 12 points ‘in the second quarter.
“So proud of the girls,” Curtis said following the win. “Four girls got in double digits. It was one-hundred percent a team effort.”
El Capitan limited Montgomery to just 13 points in the first half as the Lady Vaqueros held their own sort of defensive stampede.
“(The) defense by Shiana Peres was amazing,” Curtis said. “Tiffany Bickford ‘stampin’ up’ and JC Danks coming off the bench with a big body and using it well.”
Junior JORDAN GRANDY, sophomore EMMA DRISKILL, and Bickford, a freshman, each scored 10 points.
“I honestly don’t even know how I am involved,” said an astonished Bickford. “It’s crazy to think honestly.
“My teammates trust me to make my shot which has been improving a lot lately. I have slowly but surely been earning my confidence back which helps when knocking down my shot. I have a lot to prove still to everyone but nobody should count me out just because I’m a freshman. I love this team and my coaches and I appreciate them always helping me improve and I couldn’t ask for anyone else on my team.”
Peres had the assignment of the Aztecs’ top offensive threat.
“My game plan was to shut her down and make sure she didn’t touch the ball,” Peres said. “I would say I succeeded because she had less than five points tonight.”
El Capitan, the No. 2 seed, will host seventh-seeded University City, a 59-53 winner over Otay Ranch, on Friday in Lakeside.
Should El Capitan win and sixth-seeded Grossmont defeat first-round upset winner San Pasqual, the league rival Vaqueros and Foothillers would meet in the semifinals at El Cap.
