ROUNDUP: Patriots defeat Otay Ranch
- Updated: May 19, 2021
2020-21 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
EL CAJON – The Christian High Patriots defeated the Otay Ranch Falcons, 78-50, in a girls varsity non-league home game on Monday.
University of San Diego-bound star Kristin Williams led the Patriots with 20 points, canning four three-pointers in the third quarter and six treys for the game.
It was the second straight non-league win for the Patriots, who were coming off a victory over 14th-ranked Grossmont.
“I have been face-guarded or double-teamed since sophomore year ever since people found out I could shoot to which I had to learn quickly how to get open and continue to get my teammates involved,” Williams said. “The keys tonight were communication and passing and my leadership in trying to lead a younger team and giving them wisdom. Also, my driving in and passing out because they always collapse on me.”
Koko Akridge was red-hot at the start, pouring in 10 first-quarter points on the way to 14 points (all in the first half) for the contest. She led the team with four assists.
“There is more expected of me this year rather than last because of all the seniors who left and the role I play this year,” Akridge said. “I’ve handled it well mentally but being hurt for these past couple weeks, I was really bummed, as well as the rest of the team. My strengths are driving to the basket and going into tonight’s game, I needed to make sure that if my shot isn’t falling, to attack and look for my open teammates, just as in the last game. We play every team 100 percent and coach Vickie (Carrington) always tells us after every quarter whether we’re ahead or down to play as if the score is 0-0, so we don’t get complacent.”
Tiffany Bickford also helped the Patriots get out to a good lead with eight points in the first quarter. She finished with 15 points, including a three-pointer in the second quarter, and also had a team-high 11 rebounds.
“I think every game I become more and more comfortable out on the court and gain more confidence so I don’t get as frustrated when I mess up and I more easily move onto the next play than in past years,” Bickford said. “Every game, I am learning from the last and just want to improve every time I step onto the court. I think pushing through for my teammates was a big thing that helped me overcome the losses and helped me get the wins. We feed off of each other’s energy and when they’re encouraging me, I play better because I realize they need me at my best as I need them at their best. (Against Otay Ranch) I was able to attack to the basket and get easy points for my team and get rebounds so we had more opportunities to score, that is usually what my role revolves around but last night, especially.”
Serene Weckback ended with 10 points for the Patriots, who led 26-8 at the end of the first quarter.
“In comparison to playing Otay this year and last year, I feel a lot more confident in my offensive game and being able to finish around the rim more,” Weckback said. “I feel I excelled best in posting up and making sure nobody gets in the paint. I also believe I helped my team by rebounding on both offense and defense. I feel our communication has gotten so much better throughout this year and it is so much fun cheering for some of the younger girls on the bench.
“Some keys to victory in this game was definitely not losing energy or just settling. I think as a team we did really well at not losing energy and just going out there with heart and energy.”
On Tuesday, the Bishop’s Knights edged the host Patriots, 75-73, in a close finish that had the Christian team scratching their heads at the finish. The Patriots, who trailed 43-41 at halftime, are 5-7 overall.
“It was just awesome to see my varsity girls almost fully healthy and back,” Christian head coach Vickie Carrington said following the win over the Mustangs. “Koko’s been out since the first week of our season and it was great to see her back on the court. She did a great job. Making our voice heard off the bench is a part of who we are, and although sometimes we may not be as loud as we are on other occasions, the girls do a really good job of trying to encourage and support us from the bench. It is a huge testament to who we are as a program. And to be honest with you, as a coach, I value the bench being involved in the game just as much as I value the girls on the court during that moment. I’m really proud to say that our girls are truly supportive of one another is and it blesses my heart.”
EL CAPITAN 58, MONTE VISTA 45 – The El Capitan girls varsity defeated Monte Vista in a Grossmont Hills League game on Tuesday evening.
Mackenzie Curtis scored 26 points for the Lady Vaqueros.
Emma Driskill added 13 points, including a three-pointer in the third quarter.
Katie Cole and Amaya Tone both made a three-pointer in the contest for El Cap.
El Capitan led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter and extended the lead to 30-18 by halftime.\
Sami Gonzalez scored 13 points for the Monarchs, including three three-pointers (all in the second half)
Lina DeLeon added 11 points for Monte Vista, including a three in the first quarter.
Micayaah Flournoy had 10 points, including two three-pointers for MVHS, while teammate Meadow Delino also had a three-pointer in the first quarter.
“My girls executed the game plan,” Monte Vista head coach Sabrina Jimenez said. “We came up short on offense but big on defense. We may be small in size but Lina DeLeon and Micyaah were great on the boards. I’m proud of my girls.”
HELIX 63, GRANITE HILLS 23 – The Lady Highlanders won at Granite Hills on Tuesday behind 17 points from senior Serena Solomon.
Senior Le’Niyah Jones added 13 points for the Scotties. She also grabbed six steals.
Sophomore Jordan Lindsay had a nice performance with 11 points for Helix.
Helix connected on nine three-pointers in the game, including four from Solomon, three from Lindsay, and two by senior Delina Yetbarak.
Junior Angel Riggins had a team-high nine rebounds for the Scots.
Senior Samonah Betts led Helix with six assists.
Helix improved to 4-2 in the Grossmont Valley League.
GROSSMONT 52, WEST HILLS 27 – Daneca Perez (12 points), Anyssa Chargualaf (10 points), Ariy’ana Duke (10 points), and Shyann Van Kirk (13 points) all scored in double digits as Grossmont won again in the Grossmont Valley League and improved to 11-4 overall.
The Foothillers continued their strong league season as Perez drained three three-pointers.
Katie Caires led West Hills with 16 points, making a trio of three-pointers.
MOUNT MIGUEL 77, SANTANA 7 – The Matadors won the Grossmont Hills League contest in Santee on Tuesday.
