Matadors win Pink-Out at Monarchs
- Updated: February 1, 2022
2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
SPRING VALLEY (1-29-2022) – The evening wasn’t only about the cross rival teams competing, the Monte Vista Lady Monarchs and Mount Miguel Lady Matadors.
It was also a great game to draw in fans, friends, and family to help both teams raise awareness for Breast Cancer detection, research, and treatment, along with remembering a former fallen Lady Matador, Genevieve Costello, taken young by this horrible disease and remembrance for her life. This was the 8th Annual Pink-Out event, this time at Monte Vista High School.
The Lady Matador players get to sport the pink uniforms in remembrance to Costello, organized by the head coach of the Lady Matadors Robbie Sandoval, as Costello was close to Sandoval, as all of the Lady Matadors will tell you that they have so much respect for their coach.
This was the second battle with the Monarchs in the last three days. Unfortunately, it was a different day but a similar result for the host Monte Vista Lady Monarchs, who were down early in the first quarter as the Matadors were up, 21-5, at the end of the first quarter, and 43-13 Matadors at the half. The final was 76-23, in favor of the Lady Matadors.
Jennifer Moreno is definitely improving each game, as she had 25 points, three three-pointers, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block. Moreno led in points scored.
Nataly Bravo has been Miss Consistent and Dependable, with 13 points, three rebounds, and one steal.
Ixchel Rojo added 12 points, two rebounds, four assists, eight steals, and a block, while Danay Williams-Pope was fantastic at the boards with 11 rebounds, also had two steals.
Some of the Lady Matadors shared their thoughts on this special night in remembrance of Costello.
“I wish I had the chance to meet Gen. Our coach always tells us about how strong and great of a teammate she was. Honoring her name in the game tonight was such an honor and even honoring all the women that have gone through or knew someone that had breast cancer, and survived,” said Nataly Bravo.
“We really wanted to focus on working on things during these games, especially defensively. This game meant a lot to our coach, so we went out and played for him and the memories of Gen,” said Zanna Hurst.
“It feels great to play for a fallen teammate. Even though this is my first year at Mount Miguel, it was apparent Genevieve represented who a player at Mount Miguel should be. Gen played with pride, energy, and effort and that is what coach Rob tells us to come with every game. We just wanted to play hard especially because Gen’s parents were there and we wanted to honor her through our energy,” Said KK Luffborough.
Up next for Mount Miguel (15-7, 5-0 GHL) at Helix (9-5, 3-1 GHL) on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 4:30 p.m.
