LCC defeats El Cap; Knights rule Eagles
- Updated: December 4, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
LAKESIDE – The seventh-ranked La Costa Canyon Mavericks came to Lakeside and wrangled up a victory over the 15th-ranked El Capitan Vaqueros in an early-season matchup of two of the county’s most promising squads this season.
The Vaqueros led 13-9 after one quarter but the Mavs rallied to lead 29-24 at halftime. LCC led by 10 entering the final period.
Junior Mackenzie Curtis, a junior, had 18 points for El Capitan.
Junior forward Emma Driskill had 13 points for the Vaqueros.
Junior center Jacey Danks added five points for El Cap.
“Defensively, we came out in the second half with a game plan and I think it really helped change the momentum,” Curtis said. We just have to stay more poised on offense. It just came down to shooting our shots and not the ones the other team wanted us to shoot.”
Coming out of halftime, LCC had the ball on the sideline. Freshman Kaylee Cole denied her player the ball, got the steal and made a layup.
“I really think Kaylee Cole stepped up big time tonight,” Curtis said. “She was the main reason we stayed in the game tonight.
“Tonight was a night for everyone to step up. Shiana Peres killed it at point and shutting down (Megan Quain) in the second half. Tonight was definitely not my night, but it was my teammates’ for sure. This was a learning curve for all of us. Proud of the girls for continuing to fight.”
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 73, TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 29 – Knight senior Ellie Turk had 31 points on 12-of-14 from the field, four assists, seven rebounds, and six steals to lead the Knights to a comfortable victory over last year’s Pacific League champs.
Turk hit five of her six three-point attempts.
An early three-pointer by the Eagles closed the game to 9-5 early but that was about it for Tri-City Christian.
“It was a pretty good defensive effort for us and we had a really good passing game,” Foothills Christian head coach Joey said. “We had the ball moving really well and had some nice extra passes.”
Sophomore Nataly Bravo added 14 points, five assists, six rebounds, three steals, and a pair of blocks for the Knights.
Foothills junior Arantxa Fonseca contributed 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Junior Caroline Burke had two points, five assists, three rebounds and seven steals for the Knights.
“Our defense is what has shaped our team so far,” Burke said. “Of course, our offense is outstanding with shooters like Ellie, Arantxa, and Nataly, but Coach Joey has told us defense is where our game should begin and that we should give all our effort in the games.
“I try to start every game with that mentality since I know that’s where I can be most helpful and then I let my offense follow. I think we have so much potential.
Junior Christie Sarkis added five points for FCHS.
Knight sophomore Faith Wilson had four points and four rebounds.
Foothills Christian led 30-8 at halftime and 47-16 at the end of the first half.
The Knights were ranked 23rd in the preseason media poll and improved to 5-0 on the season.
“We are undefeated this season and our team is shaping up to be almost unstoppable,” Burke said. “We have shown that Foothills is a team to keep an eye on and we have improved our ball movement and defense.”
EL CAJON VALLEY 50, CRAWFORD 41 – The Braves improved to 4-2 with the road win over the winless Colts.
Senior Veen Gorgees had 16 points and eight rebounds for El Cajon Valley, dropping in a couple of three-pointers along the way, while freshman teammate Ruth Taulanga added 12 points and nine rebounds.
Brave junior Silvia Aboud added 10 points, eight assists, four steals, and six rebounds.
Junior Fineita Taulanga grabbed 10 rebounds to pace the Braves on the boards, while senior teammate Tarry Flournoy grabbed seven caroms.
El Cajon Valley will play at St. Joseph Academy, of Escondido, on Wednesday at 6:30.
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 44, CALVARY CHRISTIAN 21 – Leading just 15-14 at halftime, the Red Hawks outscored the Royal Knights, 29-7, in the second half for their first win of the season in five starts.
The Knights came out of halftime and outscored Calvary, 14-2, in the third quarter.
LIBERTY CHARTER 41, PALO VERDE 34 – The Lions improved to 4-1 by defeating the winless Yellow Jackets.
