Williams scores 1,500th in playoff win
- Updated: June 3, 2021
Christian celebrates a win and teammate Kristin Williams' 1500th career point on Wedensday. / SDPI
EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
SAN DIEGO CIF DIVISION I QUARTERFINALS
CHRISTIAN 56, TORREY PINES 46
EastCountySports.com staff report
EL CAJON – Christian High senior Kristin Williams surpassed the 1,500-point total for her career as the Patriots pulled away from the Torre Pines Falcons’ tough challenge at Ryan Center, 56-46, in a San Diego CIF Division I first-round game on Wednesday.
Christian improved to 11-8 overall.
Although the Falcons got the first bucket of the game, the Patriots immediately assumed a 6-2 lead held modest advantages throughout but the Falcons eventually tied the game in the second half.
Christian took a five-point lead in the first quarter when Williams got a steal and facilitated a fast-break basket by Tiffany Bickford.
Bickford immediately grabbed an offensive rebound on an ensuing possession and put it back up and in for a 12-5 lead.
“I’m always trying to help my teammates and give them energy and rebounding so we get extra chances,” Bickford said. “Coach Vickie (Carrington) always reminds us that whoever controls the boards controls the game so I’ve been really trying to implement rebounding to the max as much as possible into my game because we don’t need to give the other team more chances than they already have. We have a special team and I think we’re going to go far if we keep playing our game.”
Christian High led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, a scramble led to a great basket by the Patriots to take a 22-16 lead when Koko Akridge scrambled for the ball and got it to J.P. Melvin for a basket, forcing the Falcons to think it over.
“I try to come off the bench to help my team as much as possible in the paint and be strong inside as much as I can,” Melvin said. “Sometimes I get frustrated with myself and it gets me out my game. To be honest, I didn’t do my best tonight.”
Akridge then hit a putback at the buzzer at halftime to make it 30-21.
Akridge continued to produce in the second half, grabbing an offensive rebound for a putback early in the third.
Christian led 34-23 in the third quarter with five minutes to play.
Torrey Pines got things moving and closed the gap quickly and moved to within a bucket while still in the third quarter.
The Falcons tied it a 38-all late in the third.
Williams scored on a layin to give the Patriots a three-point lead with 5:36 left in the game.
Then Williams kept the defensive momentum and the scoring going as the Pats assumed the lead once again thanks to strong offensive rebounding.
“It feels amazing,” said Williams, of hitting another scoring milestone. “I didn’t know I hit it and I’m glad they surprised me. I wasn’t hitting tonight but I definitely did more off the ball. I rebounded well and my defense was there and my assists were kinda on point but I definitely need to play better Saturday.”
Akridge made a pair of free throws for a 48-43 advantage then Williams hit a three-pointer for an eight-point edge and a Torrey time out.
“I have come a long way and I’m not done yet,” Akridge said. “I’m always looking for ways to contribute. If my shot is not falling, I will drive and pass and find other ways to help my team.”
Serene Weckback gave the Patriots a 10-point lead.
“I have been struggling with trying my hardest not to foul,” Weckback said. “But I do feel like in the past few games I have done a lot better. In this game, my best attributes were my defense and being able to block shots. I also did a good job rebounding on both sides of the court.”
Christian High pulled away late to make the final margin seem considerable.
Jaya Little put the icing on the cake, putting Christian up 56-43, and bringing in the reserves from both teams.
“We were getting complacent and letting them come back,” Little said. “It was just a tad bit frustrating but we stuck to the game plan and picked it up and came out and played the way we know. I’m so proud of the way we played today.”
Christian High will play El Camino in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
