Cougars move to 5-0 in Valley League
- Updated: January 31, 2022
2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON (1-28-2022 ) — This was one of those must-win contests as far as Granite Hills was concerned and needed to keep from being swept by the Steele Canyon Cougars after losing horribly to Steele on the road, 45-26.
The Lady Eagles had a bad game that day but in reality, have the talent to have overcome mistakes and turn their season around, but everyone needs to buy into what head coach Jermani Stewart is coaching.
Seems like yesterday the Lady Eagles were making their move, on the road no less at 8-6, and had just won a tournament championship, defeating the Valencia Tigers, 42-35, who happened to be 17-7 at the time. Granite did come after losing one more on the road to South Gate, 43-33, but came home with an 8-7 winning record after a long, grueling road trip.
Again, coming home exhausted or not, needed to defeat their league foe, but instead fell also to the .500 mark at 8-8.
Fast forward to Friday’s contest, which had promise for the Eagles several times.
As typical fast starters most of the time, great bursts of energy create a slight separation.
Winning the first quarter of play, 9-4, playing defense as well.
Just as quickly, the Lady Cougars came back to put up double digits, winning the second quarter of play, 10–7, and to pull within two of the Lady Eagles, with the halftime score of 16-14, in favor of the Eagles.
As the Lady Cougars came out to start the third quarter of play, keeping up with the double-digit scoring, however, the host Eagles held onto the lead, 25-24, with the Cougars winning yet another quarter of play in the third quarter, 10-9.
It was definitely a back and forth affair, but both teams increased the number of fouls in the fourth quarter, and not to mention, plenty of turnovers for both sides.
Some incredible defensive plays on two occasions for the Lady Eagles came from Jade Hughes, laying on her back, yet holding onto the ball long enough to see friendly jersey color. Amazingly got the passes off to her teammates, putting her team into scoring position.
Until the clock showed triple zeros, the two teams battled it out incredibly physically, including blocked shots, rebounds, you name it, it was a battle with no pulled punches, figuratively speaking.
The final quarter was 14-12, won offensively by the visiting Cougars, with the final 38-37 to put the Lady Cougars up to
The top of the Grossmont Valley League, undefeated at ( 5-0 ), and 12-11 overall. While this
One stung quite a bit for the Lady Eagles, as they fell to ( 11-10 ) overall and ( 3-3 ), plummeting
Down to fourth place in the GVL.
Angela Gomez had 10 total points to lead in scoring with a three-pointer, and 3-for-5 at the foul line.
Jasmine Yakob added seven total points, with a three-pointer and a pair of buckets.
When Stewart was questioned about the one-point loss, and how her squad played the one-point loss?
“It’s all a mindset and having the will to win, they are young and if they keep fighting they will get there,” said Stewart.
Up next in the Lady Eagle arsenal is a Tuesday league matchup, Feb. 1, at Granite Hills. Tip-Off is at 6 p.m.
Granite really needs this one to stop the bleeding and stay alive in the GVL.
Santana (12-9, 3-2 in the GVL) took the last one, 46-33, at Santana.
