GIRLS: Patriots win at NIKE Tournament
- Updated: December 19, 2019
Santana goes up for a shot on Tuesday. / photo by Ken Todd
Santana’s Lakaila Aquingnoc-Davis controls the ball against Southwest High on Tuesday. / photo by Ken Todd
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
PHOENIX – The second-ranked Christian High Patriots made their way to the NIKE Tournament of Champions tournament this week and ended up defeating Cactus Shadows, of Cave Creek, Ariz., 63-50 on Wednesday.
Amaya Howard made three three-pointers in the third quarter for the Patriots to help the team assume the lead in the third quarter.
I think it’s really special to be apart of such an elite event and to be invited. Individually, I bring energy and that’s what my part on this team is. We were playing a aggressive so we just made smart decisions and had fun.
The biggest difference to me is that we’re our own support system, so it really encourages us to be loud on the bench. It was also a great win for us so we could move to right of the (Dan) bracket. – Amaya Howard
Simone James added nine points in the period, as Christian extended a halftime tie into a 44-35 lead.
This tournament is hands down my favorite. I am definitely going to miss it. I’m going to miss it because it’s a tradition. It’s going to be weird not coming here next year. I’m going to miss the trip here with my teammates, the bonding, and the chance to showcase ourselves. – Simone James
James couldn’t be stopped in the fourth quarter, it seemed, as she scored 13 points in the period, as Christian won the quarter, 19-15, to increase the winning margin over the Falcons, who fell to 11-2.
After winning this game today, it’s special because it’s my last opportunity to be here and last run for our seniors. After winning today’s game I feel excited, and ready for the season. We are always working to get better and improving. This team is special and I know we can go really far if we keep working hard. From looking from past tournaments, I feel there has been a drastic improvement. I remember from my freshman year we went 0-4 and now returning to the tournament and being able to compete with these talented teams. Last year, we were so close, we went 3-1, and lost in the championship. That shows that this year, we are coming hungry and ready to play with anyone. – Simone James
Allie Carreon made bucket late in the second quarter that pulled Christian (3-2) to within 15-13.
I think my biggest strength is my IQ and using that to my advantage. I feel like as a player I am good at surveying the floor and always hitting my teammates when they are open. I think I need to work on being consistent and leading more. I feel like this year we are bonding really well and it’s translating on the court. It’s really nice to see all of us becoming like sisters everyday. I believe God has a plan for this group and we will go as far as we can if it’s in his will. – Allie Carreon
In the second quarter, Carreon drained a three-pointer, as the Patriots trailed 17-16.
Sarah Moyer tied the game in the last moments of the first half, as she scored to send the teams into the locker room tied at 26-all.
For me personally, being a part of the team and traveling on the road with them and finally being able to play this year is such an honor truthfully. It’s amazing to be a part of this program, every single girl is blessed! Our sisterhood has improved so much and continues to grow every day. Coming out on top is a great family and I’m happy I get to do it with these specific girls and coaches. If I could give accolades to girls I would want to give one to everybody on the team because each girl brings something special to the table and has their own values. I think us coming together and playing as a team is what lead us to our win. For me personally my biggest strength is my physicality and being aggressive. I need to continue to work on my game diversely by being able to shoot and push the ball up the floor – Sarah Moyer
Christian High was set to play Omaha Westside (4-1), of Omaha, Neb., on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
My strength is on-ball pressure defense and scrapping for loose balls and picking out the ball. Also my help defense has gotten a lot better because it has allowed me to get more steals and blocks because I will have been in the perfect position. I think that my defense helps transition into my offense with being able to assist it to my teammates on the fast break. Today in particular again was my defense i was getting a lot of rebounds and steals and just making the defense think twice. I think my biggest room for growth is my offensive side and creating better shots for myself and setting up my teammates more. I know that I can definitely play well in practice on offense I just need to transition that part into the game as well as being a leader on and off the floor.
I think my defensive energy helped the team because in the first half the score was close. And my stops helped us pull away with a lead. I think that it helped everyone else’s energy to start going off on offense. – Raelyn Mueca
POINT LOMA 52, GRANITE HILLS 20 – At the Crawford Tournament, the Pointers improved to 6-1 with the victory over the Eagles, who fell to 3-8 overall.
The Pointers led 15-5 after the first period and 34-9 by halftime.
EASTLAKE 67, VALHALLA 20 – At the Crawford Winter Classic, the Titans won against the Lady Norsemen.
Santana defends against the Southwest Eagles on Tuesday. / photo by Ken Todd
Tuesday
MOUNT MIGUEL 48, MADISON 34 – Freshman Zanna Hurst scored 19 points, including five three-pointers, grabbed four rebounds, handed out two assists and had a steal for the Matadors.
Freshman Jennifer Moreno scored 18 points, grabbed four rebounds and had a steal for the Matadors.
Jacquee Brown had eight points, grabbed four rebounds, had three assists and had a steal for Mount Miguel
Jersey Edmonds added three points, grabbed five rebounds and had seven steals for Mount Miguel.
Angelana Detate had six rebounds for the Matadors.
“We need other people to step up and today they did,” Mount Miguel head coach Robbie Sandoval said. “Zanna Hurst definitely is going to get there. It’s gonna take her a little bit but she’s getting there and she’s probably gonna be my big outside shooter eventually but it’s going to take time.”
Santana’s Bella Terry goes up with a shot on Tuesday. / photo by Ken Todd
SOUTHWEST (EC) 40, SANTANA 37 – The Eagles defeated the Sultans in Santee to improved to 9-4 this season.
Santana fell to 2-5 overall.
Santana led 9-4 in the first quarter.
Senior Lakaila Aquingnoc-David had a field goal early in the second quarter for Santana.
The score was tied at 19-all later in the second.
Bella Terry had a field goal inside for the Sultans with 2:30 left in the first half, as Santana trailed 25-23.
Terry had a putback in the fourth quarter’s opening minute to bring Santana to within 34-32.
PACIFIC RIDGE 54, MONTE VISTA 34 – The Firebird defeated the Monarchs in a non-league game in Carlsbad on Tuesday.
Jourdan Barber had 10 points for Monte Vista, while teammate Destiny Smith, a sophomore, added nine points, including a three-pointer in the second quarter.
Meadow Delino added seven points for Monte Vista. She also drained a three in the second period.
Sam Gonzalez had five points in the first period, including a three-pointer.
I’m very grateful to be able to be an asset to my team, and I’m just happy to be here. I believe in my team, and with our roster complete I know we have the numbers and the strength to come back from our losses and win league. -Vanessa Braun
The Firebird led 14-7 after the frist quarter and 28-17 at halftime.
The girls went out and worked hard tonight. The girls were able to make the defensive adjustment and clearly bothered Pacific Ridge, but we had costly turnovers that turned into points for them. Our bigs stepped up tonight, Vanessa played tough on their big girl, I was tremendously impressed with how discipline she was and how well she took the defensive assignment seriously. Jourdan was cleaning up the defensive end with key rebounds and offensively going after the boards for some good putbacks. My guards were picking apart their defense, and were able to move the ball, bottom line is we got the shots we wanted but we couldnt buy a shot, our shooting fell short tonight. – Sabrina Jimenez said.
LIBERTY CHARTER 49, HIGH TECH CHULA VISTA 12 – The Lions led 19-0 after the first quarter and led 25-6 at halftime.
Liberty also shutout the Bruins in the third quarter.
LCHS is now 6-1 this season.
Monday
CORONADO 49, MOUNT MIGUEL 47 – The Islanders pulled off a minor upset in knocking off the 17th-ranked Matadors in a Crawford Tournament game on Monday.
The Matadors lost for just the second time this season in eight starts.
Freshman Jennifer Moreno scored 22 points, grabbed five rebounds, had six assists, recorded six steals and had one blocked shot for Mount Miguel.
Jacquee Brown added 11 points, two rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot for the Matadors.
Zanna Hurst scored 10 points, had two assists and a pair of steals for the Matadors.
Angelana Detate grabbed 11 rebounds to go along with four points for Mount Miguel.
HELIX 51, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 48 – The Helix Highlanders quietly upset the Foothills Christian Knights on Monday at the Crawford Tournament.
Foothills Christian’s Arantxa Fonseca scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while teammate Ellie Turk added 18, including four three-pointers, but Helix rallied from an early deficit with tough defense in the second and third quarters.
After trailing 17-12 after one quarter, the Highlanders eventually led 36-32 entering the fourth quarter.
Turk also grabbed seven rebounds and had seven assists.
MISSION BAY 31, GRANITE HILLS 22 – At the Crawford Tournament, the Eagles fell to the Bucs despite trailing just 12-10 at halftime.
The Eagles trailed 7-2 after one quarter but Mission Bay eventually led 25-15 after three quarters.
