Eagles battle cold, adversity in loss
- Updated: December 19, 2021
2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON (12-18-2021) – With ten days off prior to this contest versus the Ramona Lady Bulldogs (4-5), also not conducive to basketball conditions, felt as if it was 30 degrees at tip-off.
“It was pretty cold during warm-ups, however after two quarters, we were good to go,” said Granite Hills senior Jade Hughes.
It took the Lady Eagles a bit to really make a run for the win. Down 19-7 at the half was not inescapable, as the Eagle defense kept them within striking distance.
Hughes was the solo scorer in the first half of action.
“I felt that once we got in our defensive groove, that is when our shots started coming,” Hughes said. “We don’t usually use press in games, but we did against this Ramona team. We usually use a 1-2-2 or a 2-3 prevent defense. Our shots were there, shot selections were off, not an excuse, but we had not played a game in quite a while, and needed to pass the ball more.”
Granite ended up making it close, scoring 25 in the second half, and the Eagle defense playing lights out, holding the lady Bulldogs to a mere 17 points.
Jade and a few of her teammates were phenomenal at the board in the second half.
Hughes scored 18 points, 13 rebounds, one block, and two turnovers. A fantastic day on the floor.
Granite Hills sophomore Delaney Fry had nine points, 15 rebounds, three blocks, and a turnover.
The tandem definitely had a huge run towards the second-half comeback although short.
The entire Eagle squad played tough to come up just four points shy in the 36-32 loss.
“Coach Jermani (Stewart) is a very passionate coach in the game and I love that about her,” said Hughes. “I believe I personally need to work on communication and being a better leader. As a team, we need to work on defense, rotation and being more patient and selective with our shots.
“Delaney is awesome as well when it comes to rebounds, and the two of us have great communication and chemistry,” said Hughes.
Hughes is a senior transfer from Valhalla. She played her freshman and sophomore years there and lost her junior year due to COVID-19, so she began her first year as an Eagle this year.
“We definitely need to work on shot selection, we rushed a lot of them and need to work on having a collective rebounding effort, not just our bigs. The press may be on and off, it would definitely be something we would have to hone in on before I put it in. This team truly has just started playing together, and only two have had any true experience on the varsity level. I want to bring the big man and mid-range game back,” said Coach Stewart.
