GIRLS: Knights, Vaqueros earn victories
- Updated: November 24, 2019
Photo by Dave Dickens
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
SPRING VALLEY – Senior Ellie Turk scored 32 points to lead the Foothills Christian Knights to an 83-37 win over the Steele Canyon Cougars on Saturday.
Turk also had five rebounds, four assists, and seven steals.
Sophomore Nataly Bravo added 22 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
“Nataly played really well today,” Foothills head coach Joey Turk said. “We had a slow start and Ellie and Arantxa tweaked their ankles in the first half. Both bounced back. We got rolling in the second half.”
Junior Arantxa Fonseca contributed 10 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and four blocks for Foothills Christian.
“Arantxa is pretty tall and athletic and she knows how to pass the ball,” Bravo said.
Junior Caroline Burke had 11 points for Foothills.
“Caroline is an amazing player,” Bravo said. “She knows how to play defense and she plays really hard.
Burke, a junior who made her Knights’ debut this season, also had four assists and seven steals.
“Getting in the gym with Ryan Razooky and some pointers from coach Joey have really helped me see what to work on and help perfect my shot and footwork,” Burke said. “I do really enjoy stealing (the ball). It is something that makes me feel like I’m making a difference on the team, even if it’s just hitting the ball out to one of my teammates.
Burke played in a non-CIF sanctioned league previously.
“I am so blessed to be on this team. There are so many incredibly talented players. I think our team, especially in this game, has shown how strong our chemistry is together. I’m excited about this season and the dubs.
“I think I’ve bonded with this team well and with the coaches, as well, so I am excited to see how that helps my game grow stronger.
“Jumping to CIF is a huge difference but I’m excited about the challenge and I honestly think I can thrive and grow my skills in this level of competition.”
Having Burke as an addition to the team is key since the Knights have only eight varsity players.
“This last game I believe everyone showed a lot of talent. Ellie obviously hit an incredible amount of threes and moved the ball around, causing many open shots to be available. She is a great leader to our team and is constantly inspiring me with her effort and talent. Nataly also made many influential plays and shots. Nat’s defense this game was crazy strong and helped us shut down their defense.”
Sophomore Faith Wilson had two points, four rebounds, and two steals for the Knights.
Junior Christie Sarkis added six points for FCHS.
Bravo had 14 pts in the third.
“We’ve been working very hard every day, putting a lot of effort,” Bravo said. “We know we have the potential to win the championship this year. We don’t have too many players but every time we are on the court, we play with heart.”
Turk had 20 in the fourth.
“Ellie is our best player,” Bravo said. “She’s very fast and a great shooter.”
Foothills Christian plays La Jolla next on the road on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
“Not sure how good La Jolla is but if we play right we should be ok,” coach Turk said. “Being more efficient on offense and tightening up our defense is what we’re working on right now.”
EL CAPITAN 48 HOLVTVILLE 37 – The Vaqueros led 13-9 after one quarter and 29-20 at halftime.
The Vaqueros finished off the Vikings with an 11-6 edge over the final eight minutes.
The win came following a season-opening loss to Imperial on Friday. We now know why. The Vaqueros are starting off the season with several key players sidelined with injuries.
“It was a tough loss but we fought hard,” said El Capitan’s Mackenzie Curtis. “Our starting point guard, Shiana Peres, is out with a sprained ankle. Jordan Grandy is out with her ACL (injury) so we asked a lot of our new freshman, Kaylee Cole, and sophomore guard Tiffany Bickford.”
El Capitan forced 18 turnovers against the Vikings.
“This season will be a fun one,” Curtis said. “Even though we lost (on Friday), it was a battle to the end and it showed the improvement of our now junior-heavy team.”
Kylie Mead is out with a shoulder injury possibly until the start of league play. Peres should be back in the next week but Grandy is out for the season.
“Key returners will be Emma Driskill in the paint and Jacey Danks,” Curtis said. “They are a big inside presence that teams will have to plan for.
“As for outside shooters, Tiff and I are on the perimeter with our shooting. We have been working all offseason on offense. Since the season has started, we have fixed and focused strictly on defense and it has shown in our game.
“We are on the attack this year and we plan on keeping this up. Our lead on defense is a new addition to the team, junior Gracie Thorne. She straight-up moves her feet.”
GROSSMONT 62, SAN PASQUAL 60 – The Foothillers edged the Golden Eagles in the season-opener for both teams at the JV/Varsity Tip-Off Classic.
The Hillers jumped out to an 18-5 lead after one and then led 34-25 at halftime.
Grossmont took a 52-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter but the Golden Eagles answered with a massive rally in the fourth quarter.
Next up for the Foothillers is a home game with Ramona next Saturday in the Tip-Off Classic at 1:30 p.m.
