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Vaqueros get a game, but not much of a contest
in rout of La Jolla
EastCountySports.com
LA JOLLA - Consider it a warm-up for the El Capitan Vaqueros.
The trip to the beach by coach DARIN CURTIS' crew on Thursday
(Jan. 8) served its purpose, as the Vaqueros swamped La Jolla
59-18 in preparation for Saturday's (Jan.10) showdown at Mount
Miguel.
"We hadn't played a game for eight days, so we needed to
play somebody," said Curtis, whose Vaqueros (11-2) share
the No. 4 ranking in the San Diego County Media Poll. "I
thought our defense was as good or better than it's been all year."
He'll get no argument from La Jolla (4-10). El Capitan built
a 16-0 lead in the opening six minutes and never looked back.
"After we got the lead I kept rotating our starters in and
out," Curtis said.
ALLISON DUFFY paced El Capitan with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 6
steals and 3 blocked shots. HEATHER MOLZEN also came up strong
for El Capitan, pouring in 16 points while claiming 16 rebounds
and swatting away 4 Vikings' shots.
El Capitan guards GINA PAGANO (10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists)
and MALLORIE MONTGOMERY (9 points, 4 assists, 3 steals) each nailed
a pair of 3-pointers. That was a major lift for the Vaqueros who
were playing without ALISSA UNDEN.
"Alissa rolled her ankle in practice on Monday," Curtis
reported. "It swelled up as big as a grapefruit at first.
Tonight it was more the size of a lemon. We will keep her out
of practice Friday and then see if she's ready to go against (No.
3-ranked) Mount Miguel on Saturday (Jan. 10)."
The Vaqueros take on the Matadors in the second game of the East
County North-South Classic at 6 p.m. Santana and Granite Hills
meet in the first game at 4:30 p.m.
(01-08-04)
THURSDAY - JAN 8, 2004 EastCountySports.com Non-League El Capitan 59, La Jolla 18 El Capitan 21 14 16 8 - 59 La Jolla 4 4 6 4 - 18 El Capitan scoring: Allison Duffy 22, Heather Molzen 16, Gina Pagano 10, Mallorie Montgomery 9, Ashley Alderton 2. (01-08-04)
Happy Highlanders with their championship
trophy following the inaugural E. Hale Cougar Classic game
won by Helix over the Bassett Olympians 56-45 (01-02-04/Photo
by Adolfo Villanueva)
Sultans quietly racking up wins to prove
contending status
EastCountySports.com
SANTEE - The various county polls focus on the talents of Mount
Miguel and El Capitan these days. Not that perennial powerhouse
Santana has been forgotten, but the Sultans are somewhat viewed
as a third wheel. A mechanical diagnosis as such could prove to
be a premature diagnosis. Santana and its 11-3 record is proof
that the Sultans may be more stealth than silent.
While most observers were focusing on the battle beneath the boards
between sophomores JORDAN FRANEY of Santana and CHELSEA KITCHENS
of Valhalla, it was hard-nosed Sultans senior COURTNEY ASH who
helped Santana vanquish visiting Valhalla 63-27.
"Courtney set a good example," Santana coach WADE VICKERY
said. "She's tough, very competitive and aggressive on the
floor. Basically, she makes things happen for us."
Ash hit 5 of 10 shots from the field - including a pair of threes
- to finish with 12 points.
Franey, meanwhile, muscled in 17 points on 8-for-14 shooting,
while nabbing 8 rebounds and flagging 6 steals.
Kitchens cooked up 9 points and 9 rebounds to pace Valhalla (7-7).
"The best part of the game was watching the battle between
Franey and Kitchens," Valhalla coach ROBERT WILSON said.
"Both players were being pounded inside every time they touched
the ball. And they each held up well."
Losing by 36 points would leave most coaches speechless. But Wilson
found some positive dialogue.
"I was happy to see our confidence level was up to start
the game," he said. "Last year we were down by about
18 after the 1st quarter when we played Santana, and then gave
up in the second half. That didn't happen this year."
HELIX 78, GROSSMONT 39 - Oh sure, the Grossmont South
League is going to be a two-team race between two-time defending
champion Mount Miguel and long-shot challenger Granite Hills.
Maybe so, but don't count out the youthful Helix Highlanders.
Perhaps the odds-makers don't believe that this band of upstarts
has any measurable chance of making an impact this winter. Maybe
they should take note that Helix has now won seven in a row following
Wednesday's (Jan. 7) blowout of the host Grossmont Foothillers.
"We picked up our defense, putting the pressure on them in
the 2nd quarter," Helix assistant coach WILLIE HATHAWAY said
after the Highlanders (12-5) turned a one-point 1st quarter lead
into a 33-18 halftime cushion.
Redhot Helix sophomore DIANA LEASAU cast in a game high 25 points,
giving her 62 tallies in her last two starts. While dishing 5
assists and recording 3 steals, Leasau was connecting on 10 of
19 shots from the floor and half of her 10 free throws against
the Foothillers (8-9).
CHASITY TOILOLO dominated inside for Helix, cashing in on 7 of
9 floor shots for 15 points while sharing game-high rebounding
honors of 11 with freshman MELE LEASAU.
Helix point guard RACQUEL PRIMAS dealt 7 of the Highlanders' 28
assists (Helix has 54 in its last two games) while chalking up
8 points, 3 steals and 2 blocks.
SHARIKA THOMPSON scored a career high 10 points and passed out
7 assists for Helix, which has scored 166 points in its last games.
SAM MOHAN and LAURA FELICE shared Grossmont's high points honors
with 11 apiece, but combined to hit only 9 of 35 shots from the
field. BREE HEMINGWAY added 10 points and a team high 7 rebounds.
Mohan chipped in 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Felice bagged
6 boards and Hemingway blocked 2 shots.
WEST HILLS 48, STEELE CANYON 25 - The Wolf Pack (10-6)
used a 37-14 scoring spread in the middle two quarters to club
the Cougars in Wednesday's (Jan. 7) crossover game in Santee.
Nine players contributed to West Hills' winning point count led
by senior AIME CORDIERO's 9 markers, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and
one assist. Freshman MUAAU NADERHOFF knocked in 8 points and a
team-high 7 rebounds, while senior CAITLIN WEISS contributed 7
steals, 6 points, 5 assists,2 blocks and 2 rebounds.
"This was Caitlin's first game back from injury," said
West Hills coach CARLOS MOSS. "She handles the ball so well
that it enables us to run several different types of offense."
Junior DANIELLE EDMONDSON was the Pack's primary pickpocket with
8 thefts, 5 rebounds and 6 points.
CELESTE MARTINS topped Steele Canyon (3-14) with 8 points, while
KEISHA STILES hit 7 of 9 shots from the free throw stripe for
7 points.
Next up for West Hills is a visit to Monte Vista where Moss coached
two seasons ago.
"It's sort of my homecoming," said Moss, who noted that
West Hills assistant coach SIG CHABROWSKI continues to be employed
as a campus supervisor and girls softball coach. "I've got
to remember which bench to sit on, and which locker room to use."
MONTE VISTA at EL CAJON VALLEY - (No game-No officials/will
be rescheduled)
(01-07-04)
WEDNESDAY - JAN 7, 2004 EastCountySports.com Non-League Helix 78, Grossmont 39 Helix 16 17 19 26 - 78 Grossmont 15 3 11 10 - 39 Helix scoring: Diana Leasau 25, Mele Leasau 13, Chasity Toilolo 15, Sharika Thompson 10, Racquel Primas 8, Ashley Penn 3, Chante Coleman 2, Michelle Doan 2. Grossmont scoring: Laura Felice 11, Sam Mohan 11, Bree Hemingway 10, Kendra Myers 3, Annie Gonzalez 2, Michelle Gonzalez 2. - Santana 63, Valhalla 27 Valhalla 8 6 4 9 - 27 Santana 10 20 19 14 - 63 Valhalla scoring: Chelsea Kitchens 9, Lauren Sheppard 6, Nina Schmidt 6, Angel Burch 4, Adrianna Malone 2. Santana scoring: Jordan Franey 17, Courtney Ash 12, Robin Appleby 8, Shae Bass 7, Heather Thomas 7, Amie Leach 6, Kelsey Ash 3, Gabby Passentino 2, Margeaux Bass 1. - West Hills 48, Steele Canyon 25 Steele Canyon 4 10 4 7 - 25 West Hills 4 22 15 7 - 48 West Hills scoring: Aime Cordeiro 9, Muaau Naderhoff 8, Danielle Edmondson 6, Caramie Huntington 6, Caitlin Weiss 6, Dalia Ghandour 5, Kylee Krings 5, Dara Preston 2, Jessica Urban 1. Steele Canyon scoring: Celeste Martins 8, Keisha Stiles 7, Alexis Robinson 4, Cassie Glover 3, Kelly Boozel 2, Tiffanie Cross 1. - Monte Vista @ El Cajon Valley (No game-No officials/will be rescheduled) (01-07-04)
Leasau pours in 37 in Highlanders' conference
rout of Braves
EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON - Those counting the young Helix Highlanders out of the
Grossmont South League race might want to consider re-calculating
their figures. Fact is the Highlanders are sporting an 11-5 record
at the moment and gaining confidence by the second. Coach TERRY
HINDS' crew played one of its finest games of the season in Monday's
(Jan. 5) opening round of Grossmont Conference crossover action,
crushing host El Cajon Valley 88-43.
Sophomore DIANA LEASAU rocked in a career-high 37 points, including
perfect 10-for-10 free throw shooting, while grabbing 11 rebounds,
dishing 6 assists and pilfering 6 El Cajon Valley passes.
"Diana is so competitive that when we took her out of the
game with about four minutes to go in the fourth quarter she was
angry," Helix assistant coach WILLIE HATHAWAY said. "Once
that ball goes up on the opening jump, she just locks into a zone.
All she thinks about is winning. She puts out a big effort and
expects all of her teammates to play at the same level."
Leasau's teammates came close to meeting her expectations this
time around, as Helix won its sixth game in a row and generated
a season-high 26 assists in the process.
"We just turned them loose," Hathaway said of the Highlanders.
"We did an excellent job of pushing the ball up the floor,
making the critical pass and putting the ball in the basket. I
hope (El Cajon Valley coach) RANDY (ADAMS) realizes we weren't
out there just trying to run up the score."
Nine Highlanders contributed to the scoring column. CHASITY TOILOLO
whipped in 14 points and snagged 10 rebounds, while freshman MELE
LEASAU garnered 10 rebounds and netted 8 points.
Helix took a 29-13 1st quarter lead on the strength of Diana Leasau's
14 points and never looked back.
MICHELLE THOMPSON buried a pair of threes on her way to an El
Cajon Valley high of 14 points.
One of the problems for the Braves (3-11) is while three players
reached double scoring digits only four players scored.
MONTE VISTA 68, GROSSMONT 44 - Senior TASHANA HOWELL
rang up a career high 24 points to march the Monarchs past the
visiting Foothillers in Monday's (Jan. 5) Grossmont Conference
crossover contest in Spring Valley.
Howell's offensive eruption included a trio of 3-pointers and
3-for-3 accuracy from the charity stripe along with 3 assists
and 5 rebounds as Monte Vista (11-4) tied for the East County
lead in overall victories.
SHALIA BOHANNON (15 points, 5 steals) and ASHLEY MILLER (10 points)
helped the Monarchs gain their 7th win in their last 8 starts.
After staggering out of the chute to an 18-16 1st quarter deficit
to the short-handed Foothillers (8-8), the Monarchs took command.
A 24-9 second quarter scoring spree put Monte Vista in charge.
"We played horrible defense in the 1st quarter," Monte
Vista assistant coach CHRISTY GREENE said. "But we maintained
our man-to-man defense and stuck to (Grossmont scoring leaders
LAURA) FELICE and (SAM) MOHAN like glue."
Monte Vista's victory marked the second time in a week that the
Monarchs had manhandled the Hillers.
Inspite of the lopsided loss, Mohan enjoyed a powerful performance,
which included a game-best 23 points on 10-for-20 shooting from
the floor, 3-for-4 shooting from the foul line, 3 assists and
3 steals.
WEST HILLS 56, MAR VISTA 23 - Sophomore CARAMIE HUNTINGTON
cashed in 13 points and junior SARA MUGUIA, who scored her first
career bucket one game earlier, connected on 5 of 10 floor shots
for 10 points in the Wolf Pack's non-league victory at Mar Vista
on Monday (Jan. 5).
Muguia, a 5-foot-10 junior, completed her first varsity double-double
with 10 rebounds and also blocked 5 shots in a career outing for
her.
West Hills sophomore DALIA GHANDOUR added 8 points - all of her
points coming on 4-for-5 shooting from inside the circle.
MONDAY - JAN 5, 2004 EastCountySports.com Non-League @ Monte Vista 68, Grossmont 44 Grossmont 18 9 6 11 - 44 Monte Vista 16 24 18 10 - 68 Grossmont scoring: Sam Mohan 23, Michelle Gonzalez 7, Laura Felice 6, Annie Gonzalez 5, Bree Hemingway 3. Monte Vista scoring: Tashana Howell 24, Shalia Bohannon 15, Ashley Miller 10, Tanisha Shelley 8, Alysha Daigle 5, Johnae Jackson 4, Erica Levenson 2. - Helix 88, El Cajon Valley 43 Helix 29 18 28 13 - 88 El Cajon Valley 13 13 10 7 - 43 Helix scoring: Diana Leasau 37, Chasity Toilolo 14, Mele Leasau 8, Sharika Thompson 7, Mallorie Brown 6, Chante Coleman 6, Racquel Primas 4, Shannae Singleton 4, Ashley Penn 2. El Cajon Valley scoring: Michelle Thompson 14, Tala Kosa 11, Rawaa Patros 10, Tynisha Smith 8. - West Hills 56, Mar Vista 23 West Hills 8 0 11 4 - 23 Mar Vista 12 17 18 9 - 56 West Hills scoring: Caramie Huntington 13, Sara Murguia 10, Dalia Ghandour 8, Dara Preston 7, Aime Cordeiro 6, Danielle Edmondson 4, Jessica Urban 3, Muaau Naderhoff 3, Kylee Krings 2. (01-05-04)
Helix
junior Chasity Toilolo (32) looks for an open teammate during
the championship game of the E. Hale Cougar Classic Friday night
won by the Highlanders (1-2-04/Photo by Adolfo Villanueva)EastCountySports.com
SPRING VALLEY - Traditional powers in the
Grossmont South League haven't given a second thought to the Helix
Highlanders the past couple of years. Perhaps, they should take
a closer look this season. Coach TERRY HINDS' Highlanders completed
a five-game sweep in the inaugural E. Hale Cougar Classic Friday
night (Jan.2) to claim the tournament championship by belting
the Bassett High Olympians of Torrance 56-45 at Steele Canyon
High.
Freshman MELE LEASAU scored a career high 16 points, hauled down
10 rebounds and dished off 4 assists as the foul-riddled Highlanders
(10-5) held on to send the visitors from Los Angeles County packing.
"Some of our team leaders got into early foul trouble, so
we had to look to our younger girls to step up," Helix assistant
coach WILLIE HATHAWAY said. "Mele Leasau and (point guard)
RACQUEL PRIMAS took the challenge."
Primas popped in 9 points, handed out 7 assists, logged 3 steals
and 3 assists, while all-tournament pick CHASITY TOILOLO tossed
in a dozen points and secured 12 rebounds for the Highlanders.
Helix started out strong, sprinting to an 11-2 lead. It was at
that point that tournament MVP DIANA LEASAU got into foul trouble
and had to sit out the majority of the second and third quarters.
"We knew we were in trouble with Diana on the bench,"
Hathway said. "So we instructed Primas to swing the ball
inside to Chasity and Mele. She did a great job of following our
instruction and wound up scoring 8 (of her 9) points in the process.
Just great job on her part."
Steele Canyon coach FRANK QUINONES proved that his tournament
is a quality affair and Helix definitely took notice. For capturing
the tournament crown, the Highlanders were awarded a team trophy,
an MVP trophy, championship T-Shirts and medallions for each member
of the Helix team.
"Frank is to commended for how he ran his tournament,"
Hathway said. "Our girls were so excited about all the attention
they received that it can only help their confidence and build
our program in the future."
HELIX 53, CHINO 25 - Helix sophomore DIANA LEASAU scored
as many points as the entire Chino team in Friday's (Jan. 2) semifinals
of the Cougar Classic, as the Highlanders breezed to the easy
victory.
The 5-foot-8 Leasau canned 9 of 19 shots from the floor and 7
of 9 free throws to finish with her season high of 25 points.
She also corralled 7 rebounds, dished 4 assists and 3 steals.
CHASITY TOILOLO ripped off 11 rebounds and shoveled in 8 points,
while freshman MELE LEASAU garnered 8 points and 10 rebounds for
the streaking Highlanders.
Sitting on a 9-point lead at intermission, the Highlanders (9-5)
turned the game into a rout by blanking the Cowboys 12-0 in the
3rd quarter.
STEELE CANYON 38, EL CAJON VALLEY 30 - Host Steele Canyon
erupted for 22 points in the 4th quarter to erase a 7-point 3rd
quarter deficit in Friday's (Jan. 2) final round of the Cougar
Classic.
It's not often that a team can shoot a piddly 8 percent (3-for-36)
in the first half and come back to win in the final half. Not
that the Cougars (3-13) were setting any records with their marksmanship
in the 3rd and 4th quarters, hitting 9 of 31 shots for 29 percent.
What Steele Canyon did do was rebound. The Cougars collected 41
caroms, led by sophomore ALEXIS ROBINSON's 12 boards. All-tournament
pick TIFFANIE CROSS claimed 9 rebounds, while CASSIE GLOVER retrieved
7. All of Cross' caroms came off the offensive glass.
CELESTE MARTINS paced Steele Canyon's scoring parade with 13 points,
while Glover added 8 and Cross cashed in 6.
"We controlled the boards and got plenty of shots, but couldn't
get any shots to fall until the second half," Steele Canyon
coach FRANK QUINONES said. "The biggest thing in our favor
is we turned the ball over only five times.
"I'm proud of our girls coming back the way they did."
TYNISHA SMITH paced the Braves (3-10) with 14, while RAWAA PATROS
rolled in 9. Patros, who also earned all-tournament recognition,
made most of her noise from the free throw line where she connected
on 7 of 12 shots.
(01-03-03)
FRIDAY - JAN 2, 2004 East CountySports.com E.Hale Cougar Classic Helix 53, Chino 25 Helix 12 15 12 14 - 53 Chino 8 10 0 7 - 25 Helix scoring: Diana Leasau 25, Chasity Toilolo 8, Mele Leasau 8, Racquel Primas 4, Sharika Thompson 2, Mallorie Brown 2, Chante Coleman 2, Michelle Doan 2. - El Cajon Valley 10 1 12 7 - 30 Steele Canyon 2 9 5 22 - 38 El Cajon Valley scoring: Tynisha Smith 14, Rawaa Patros 9, Marissa Martinez 2, Tala Kosa 2, Michelle Thompson 2, Abigail Mendez 1. Steele Canyon scoring: Celeste Martins 13, Cassie Glover 8, Tiffanie Cross 6, Alexis Robinson 4, Keisha Stiles 3, Hayley Johnston 2, Adrianna Ussery 2. - Championship: Helix 56, Bassett 45 Helix 15 17 14 10 - 56 Bassett 7 14 13 11 - 45 Helix scoring: Mele Leasau 16, Chasity Toilolo 13, Racquel Primas 9, Diana Leasau 6, Ashley Penn 6, Sharika Thompson 2, Shannae Singleton 2, Chante Coleman 2. (01-02-04)
Mount Miguel and El Capitan players battle
under the boards during the championship game of the Santana/Horsman
Classic Tuesday night (12-30-03)./photo by Nick Pellegrino
Leasau can do it all in Highlanders' win
over Valley Center
EastCountySports.com
SPRING VALLEY - Defense was the ticket to the Helix Highlanders
36-31 romp over Valley Center in Wednesday's (Dec.31) Cougar Classic
at Steele Canyon. DIANA LEASAU guided the Highlanders (8-5) up
the victory trail as she poured in 15 points, grabbed 10 rebounds,
logged 6 steals and dished off 5 assists. Eight of her points
came in the pivotal 4th period in which Helix claimed a 13-8 scoring
advantage.
CHASITY TOILOLO canned a key 3-pointer in Helix's 4th period surge,
but settled for just 7 points for the game. She also garnered
9 rebounds, pilfered 3 Jaguars' passes and blocked two shots.
"The bottom line is we just hung tough when the pressure
was on," said Helix assistant coach WILLIE HATHAWAY. "(ASHLEY)
PENN did a great defensive job on (VC's Bonnie) Zabinsky and Toilolo
shut down (center Paige) Mintun. Those girls came into this game
averaging 36 points between them, but held them to 3 points."
Not to be overlooked in the Helix victory was freshman MELE LEASAU,
who corralled 10 rebounds while tossing in 6 points. Toilolo finished
with 7 points and 9 rebounds.
BASSETT 73, STEELE CANYON 41 - Senior STEPHANIE CROSS
cashed in 15 points and junior CASSIE GLOVER rolled a double-double
of 13 points and 10 rebounds as host Steele Canyon succumbed in
Wednesday's (Dec. 31) Cougar Classic.
The Bassett Olympians of La Puente gradually used their superior
depth to wear down the Cougars (2-13) to advance one win closer
to a berth in Friday's (Jan. 2) tournament championship game.
The Cougars trailed by a mere 3 points after one quarter, but
could not keep pace with the Olympians.
CELESTE MARTINS contributed 8 points, 6 rebounds and a pair of
assists to aid the Steele Canyon cause. ADRIANNA USSERY also snagged
6 rebounds, one more than Cross and KEISHA STILES.
BRAWLEY def. EL CAJON VALLEY - (no report)
(12-31-03)
WEDNESDAY - DEC 31 EastCountySports.com Cougar Holiday Classic @ Steele Canyon Helix 36, Valley Center 31 Helix 9 2 12 8 - 31 Valley Center 7 9 7 13 - 36 Helix scoring: Diana Leasau 15, Chasity Toilolo 7, Ashley Penn 6, Mele Leasau 6, Chante Coleman 2. - Bassett 73, Steele Canyon 41 Bassett 19 19 23 12 - 73 Steele Canyon 16 11 7 7 - 41 Steele Canyon scoring: Tiffanie Cross 15, Cassie Glover 13, Celeste Martins 8, Kelly Boozel 4, Keisha Stiles 1. (Late box/only) Brawley 53, El Cajon Valley 44 El Cajon Valley 11 12 18 3 - 44 Brawley 6 21 13 12 - 53 Tashiana Foster 13, Michelle Thompson 9, Rawaa Patros 7, Marissa Mertinez 7, Tala Kosa 4, Tynisha Smith 2, Sabrina Julien 2. (12-31-03/Rev. 01-02-04)
Mount Miguel players pose for pictures with
the championship trophies after winning the Santana/Horsman Classic
on 12-30-03)/photo by Nick Pellegrino
Costello, Matadors, pressure Vaqueros for second
tourney triumph
EastCountySports.com
SANTEE - It was a game-plan months in the making - a unique twist
on how to combat an opponent with a distinct height advantage.
Sort of an on-going strategy out of respect for a worthy adversary.
"We work on ball-pressure all the time simply because of
El Capitan," explained Mount Miguel forward JERICA WILLIAMS.
"It's hard for their big girls to shoot if they don't have
the ball."
The blueprint turned into a work of real-world art for the Matadors,
who slipped past the Vaqueros, 53-45, to capture the championship
of the Santana/Horsman Classic on Tuesday night (Dec.30).
It was Mount Miguel's second tournament triumph of the season,
as point guard GENEVIEVE COSTELLO was tabbed the event's most
valuable player by the media.
"She's the one thing we have that other teams don't - a great
point guard," added Williams, who canned a key 3-ball with
3:15 to play after El Cap cut the lead to two. "Gen can drive
and dish the ball, and my jumper was falling tonight."
Few games can match the classic like Mount Miguel's double-overtime
triumph over El Capitan in last season's San Diego CIF Division
II Championship conquest. However, Tuesday's victory certainly
laid down the groundwork for another intriguing battle when these
teams meet again on Saturday, Jan.10 in Spring Valley.
"We worked on keeping them from getting the ball to the big
girls," added forward KAYLA HENRY on El Capitan's twin towers
of ALLISON DUFFY and HEATHER MOLZEN. "And if they get the
ball inside, we get front and back help from the guards so they
put up a bad shot.
"The coaches say we have to play body-to-body on the big
girls."
Duffy was able to out-muscle her defenders several times, scoring
eight of her game-high 24 points in the 4th quarter. But the opportunities
to score grew fewer and fewer as the control progressed, while
the Matadors (11-3) rallied from a 24-18 halftime deficit.
"We were kind of lost in the first half," said Duffy,
who also collected 19 rebounds. "Then they attacked our guards,
so they couldn't get the ball to us."
Duffy scored a lay-up off a long, lead pass by ALISSA UNDEN to
close the margin to 43-41 with just under four minutes to play.
However, Williams drained a 3-ball, VICTORIA MURPHY dropped in
a short jumper after Costello drove the lane and made a quick
pass to the open wing with 48 seconds left. Mount Miguel then
went 4-for-4 at the foul line to seal the win, including a pair
each from Williams and Costello.
Williams, who registered a season-high 16 points, also notched
4 steals, 3 rebounds and a pair of assists.
Henry added a dozen points and 7 rebounds, while Costello dished
7 assists, scored 8 points and plucked 4 rebounds.
Unden led the supporting cast for Duffy with 11 points, 3 assists
and 3 rebounds. Molzen finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds
for El Capitan (10-2).
Granite Hills players secure
a rebound during the Eagles' Sportland Festival championship loss
to Eastlake Tuesday (12-30-03)./photo by Nick Pellegrino
EASTLAKE 56, GRANITE HILLS 51 - Granite Hills trimmed
a 10-point deficit to just three with 10 seconds remaining, but
couldn't secure an opportunity to force overtime, falling to Eastlake,
56-51, in Tuesday's (Dec. 30) championship of the Granite Hills
Sportland Festival.
"If we could've got the ball back just one more time,"
lamented Eagles coach JAY ROWLETT, who saw his team rally from
a 44-34 hole with 6:05 left, only to fall short. "We just
managed the clock well and, luckily, they missed some free throws,
but there still wasn't enough time."
The Eagles found enough time in the first half, as JENNIFER WHITMOYER
downed consecutive treys in the final 40 seconds to give the tournament
hosts a 26-25 lead at intermission. However, Titans guard Jackie
Paras scored seven points in the third period, including a half-court
swish at the buzzer after Granite Hills had again trimmed the
lead do just a single point.
Paras was the key, breaking the Granite Hills press or beating
the defenders down the floor.
MEAGAN ST. JOHN downed both ends of a one-and-one to trim the
Eastlake lead to 52-48 with 26 second left. Andrea Aguliar answered
with two foul shots with 0:17.3 seconds left, but Whitmoyer popped
home a 3-ball to stop the clock at 0:10.
The Eagles tried to steal the inbounds pass, but instead, a foul
resulted in Paras adding the finishing touches to her 20-point
performance to seal the title for Eastlake (8-4).
Whitmoyer's trio of treys hoisted her East County leading total
to 39 as she finished with 11 points - one less than teammates
St. John and JEANNIE CASE.
Both Whitmoyer and Case were named to the all-tournament team.
MONTE VISTA 56, GROSSMONT 44 - The Monarchs (10-4)
won the Granite Hills Sportland Festival consolation championship
by bouncing the fragile Foothillers (8-7) on Tuesday (Dec. 30).
Three Monte Vista players hit double figures, sharing the balanced
scoring attack as SHALIA BOHANNON led the way with a team high
18 points. TANISHA SHELLEY finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds
while ASHLEY MILLER netted 14 and TASHANA HOWELL tallied 8. Not
to be overlooked was Monte Vista rebound workhorse JOHNAE JACKSON,
who collected 10 caroms despite not scoring.
Grossmont was led by SAM MOHAN's game high 21 points (on 9-for-21
shooting) and 8 boards.
LAURA FELICE added 14 on 5-for-11 shooting, including a couple
of 3-pointers.
These teams won't have to wait long for a rematch as they meet
again Monday (Jan.5) in a Grossmont Conference clash at Monte
Vista.
SANTANA 61, RAMONA 52 - COURTNEY ASH and JORDAN
FRANEY scored 15 points to carry host Santana (10-3) past the
Ramona Bulldogs (7-6) in Tuesday's (Dec.30) 5th place game of
the Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic.
"Courtney sparked us early, scoring all of her points in
the first half," Santana coach WADE VICKERY said.
In addition to recording 7 steals, Ash canned 2 three-pointers,
while Franey retrieved 5 rebounds, made 5 steals and created 4
deflections.
The BASS sisters - MARGEAUX and SHAE - came up big with 13 points
apiece. Freshman Shae also hauled down 11 rebounds and handed
out 4 assists, while senior Margeaux logged a game-high 6 assists.
HELIX 59, CENTRAL UNION 34 - DIANA LEASAU played
perhaps her finest game of the season, scoring 20 points and hauling
down a dozen rebounds as Helix won Tuesday's (Dec. 30) Cougar
Classic contest over the desert visitors.
CHASITY TOILOLO clicked on 8 of 16 shots for 16 points and garnered
a game-high 15 rebounds while logging 4 blocks for the Highlanders.
MELE LEASAU also corralled a dozen rebounds and knocked down 9
points for Helix.
VISTA 46, HELIX 39 - The early starting time (1:15
pm) apparently didn't agree with the Highlanders as they faltered
in the 4th quarter after being tied at 31-all through three quarters
of Tuesday's (Dec. 30) Santana Christmas Classic contest consolation
affair.
DIANA LEASAU led the Highlanders with 11 points, 9 rebounds and
5 assists, while CHASITY TOILOLO charted 10 points and a dozen
rebounds.
WEST HILLS 49, OCEANSIDE 44 - The Wolf Pack
used a 19-7 4th quarter rush to secure the third place trophy
in Tuesday's (Dec. 30) Montgomery Aztec Holiday Invitational action.
All-tournament pick AIME CORDEIRO scored on a lay-up to give West
Hills a 45-44 lead with 52 seconds remaining.
CARAMIE HUNTINGTON added an insurance bucket off a steal and feed
from DANIELLE EDMONDSON. Cordeiro sealed the deal by sinking a
pair of free throws.
"Even when we got behind (28-18) we didn't shut down,"
Cordeiro said. "Yeah, playing over Christmas Vacation is
a hassle to some teams, but we love it. I love it. Whether it's
8 a.m. or 10 p.m., I want to play."
Edmondson and MUAAU NADERHOFF shared West Hills high-point honors
with 14 points apiece. Naderhoff also collected 10 rebounds for
the Wolf Pack.
MONTGOMERY 46, CHRISTIAN 34 - The short-handed Patriots
(5-8) were playing catchup in Tuesday's (Dec. 30) Aztec Holiday
Invitational 5th place game at Montgomery. Despite missing three
starters, Christian made a game of it before falling to the tournament
hosts.
RACHEL EDELEN, who was named to the all-tournament team, paced
the Patriots with 15 points - most of which came on her 9-for-15
free throw shooting.
"I've coached Rachel for four years and she's never missed
as much as a single practice," Christian coach TIM JOLLETT
said of last year's Harbor League Player of the Year. "She
deserves all the accolades she gets."
BRITNI McCASKILL added 9 points for the Patriots.
CENTRAL UNION 39, VALHALLA 37 - CHELSEA KITCHENS
turned in a powerful double-double of16 points and a career-high
25 rebounds in Tuesday's (Dec. 30) heart-breaking Valhalla loss.
ANGEL BURCH added 9 points, 5 steals and 3 steals for the Norsemen
(7-6).
SO. LAKE TAHOE 53, EL CAJON VALLEY 29 - The towering
Vikings of South Lake Tahoe put the Braves in the deep freeze
in Tuesday's (Dec. 30) Cougar Classic encounter at Steele Canyon.
It was El Cajon Valley's fourth game in two days, all of which
resulted in losses.
"The girls were just tired after playing two games today,"
ECV coach RANDY ADAMS said.
RAWAA PATROS paced the Braves (3-8) with 15 points.
W. P. WAGNER 41, EL CAJON VALLEY 40 (OT) - The Braves
went back-and-forth with the Canadian visitors before succumbing
in overtime in the final round of Tuesday's (Dec. 30) Granite
Hills Sportland Festival consolation contest.
"It was a good game - we just ran out of steam," Adams
said.
Patros' 3-pointer was El Cajon Valley's lone tally in the extra
session and it almost held up in this game played at Clairemont
High.
TYNISHA SMITH paced the Braves with 12 points. Included in her
totals were a pair of 3-pointers.
(12-30-03)
TUESDAY - DEC 30 EastCountySports.com Cougar Holiday Classic @ Steele Canyon Helix 59, Central Union 34 Central 13 7 5 9 - 34 Helix 13 15 20 11 - 59 Helix scoring: Dieana Leasau 20, Chasisty Toilolo 16, Mele Leasau 9, Ashley Penn 5, Mallorie Brown 4, Shannae Singleton 2, Chante Coleman 2, Sharika Thompson 1. - So. Lake Tahoe 53, El Cajon Valley 29 So. Lake Tahoe 12 14 16 8 - 50 El Cajon Valley 11 4 10 4 - 29 El Cajon Valley scoring: Rawaa Patros 15, Michelle Thompson 5, Sabrina Julien 4, Tynisha Smith 2, Tala Kosa 2, Marissa Martinez. - Aztec Holiday Invitational @ Montgomery 5th Place: Montgomery 46, Christian 34 Christian 4 10 6 14 - 34 Montgomery 11 11 12 12 - 46 Christian scoring: Rachel Edelen 15, Britni McCaskill 9, Heather DePriest 4, Jamie Ray 3, Sarah Seymour 3. - 3rd Place: West Hills 49, Oceanside 44 West Hills 12 6 12 19 - 49 Oceanside 12 16 9 7 - 44 West Hills scoring: Muaau Naderhoff 14, Danielle Edmondson 14, Caramie Huntington 7, Aime Cordeiro 6, Dalia Ghandour 4, Sara Murguia 2, Dara Preston 2. - Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic @ Santana Vista 46, Helix 39 Vista 14 9 8 15 - 46 Helix 8 13 10 8 - 39 Helix scoring: Diana Leasau 11, Chasity Toilolo 10, Mele Leasau 10, Ashley Penn 4, Sharika Thompson 2, Chante Coleman 2. - 5th Place: Santana 61, Ramona 52 Ramona 14 11 10 17 - 52 Santana 14 19 17 11 - 61 Santana scoring: Courtney Ash 15, Jordan Franey 15, Shae Bass 13, Margeaux Bass 13, Ashley Baker 4, Amie Leach 1. - Championship: Mount Miguel 53, El Capitan 45 El Capitan 11 13 9 12 - 45 Mount Miguel 10 8 16 19 - 53 El Capitan scoring: Allison Duffy 24, Alissa Unden 11, Heather Molzen 10. Mount Miguel scoring: Jerica Williams 16, Kayla Henry 12, Genevieve Costello 8, Lashawn Johnson 7, Victoria Murphy 4, Monique Clayton 4, Tavasha Yarbrough 2. - Granite Hills Sportland Festival Consolation: Monte Vista 56, Grossmont 44 Monte Vista 17 12 15 12 - 56 Grossmont 4 17 9 14 - 44 Monte Vista scoring: Shalia Bohannon 18, Tanisha Shelley 16, Ashley Miller 14, Tashana Howell 8. Grossmont scoring: Sam Mohan 21, Laura Felice 14, Michelle Gonzalez 4, Annie Gonzalez 2, Kendra Myers 2, Christine Sullivan 1. - W. P. Wagner 41, El Cajon Valley 40 (OT) El Cajon Valley 11 6 10 10 3 - 40 W. P. Wagner 10 11 5 11 4 - 41 El Cajon Valley scoring: Tynisha Smith 12, Rawaa Patros 9, Tashiana Foster 9, Michelle Thompson 6, Marissa Martinez 4. - Central Union 39, Valhalla 37 Central Union 9 3 13 14 - 39 Valhalla 9 7 4 17 - 37 Valhalla scoring: Chelsea Kitchens 16, Angel Burch 9, Lauren Sheppard 4, Nina Schmidt 4, Danielle St. John 2, Adrianna Malone 2. - Championship: Eastlake 56, Granite Hills 51 Eastlake 13 12 13 18 - 51 Granite Hills 10 16 8 17 - 51 Granite Hills scoring: Meagan St. John 12, Jeannie Case 12, Jennifer Whitmoyer 11, Morgan Sabala 8, Joy Edwards 6, Amanda McCurdy 2. (12-30-03)
Matadors put Bishop's in check, will face
Vaqueros in Horsman Classic final
EastCountySports.com
SANTEE - The battle between big and small is taking on an added
dimension for Mount Miguel. The smaller Matadors (10-3) spanked
a taller foe in The Bishop's, 47-40, in Monday's (Dec. 29) semifinals
of the Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic to earn a shot at another
tall opponent in Tuesday's final. Better yet, it will be against
El Capitan in a rematch of last season's memorable San Diego CIF
Division II championship contest.
"People beat on us on how small we are," said Mount
Miguel guard GEN COSTELLO. "But we were hyped and took their
heart out of the game."
Costello paced the Matadors with 17 points and 7 assists, while
the forwards took control in the 3rd quarter to rally from an
early deficit.
The Knights (8-3) led 17-15 at the half, then Brianna Gonzalez
opened the second half with a trey to push the margin to five
points. However, Mount Miguel placed the clamps with a choking
defense, scoring the next 14 consecutive points despite the mismatch
under the boards.
"We had the intensity from everybody on the court,"
noted Mount Miguel forward KAYLA HENRY, who finished with 15 points
and 5 rebounds. "Even the guards had to box-out and help
us by doubling-down on their big girls."
The strategy - and hustle - worked, as 6-foot-3 center Jen Barnette
was limited to just two points and four rebounds, while forward
Summer Hamilton added just 2 points, as neither team allowed much
near the basket.
"It was hard to score inside for both teams," added
Henry. "But we were body-to-body with them every time."
Meanwhile, Mount Miguel's MONIQUE CLAYTON broke free for a pair
of layins to spark the 14-0 run, as Costello registered 4 assists
during the 6-minute spurt, including scoring passes to Henry on
inbound passes.
Gonzalez scored 13 of her 17 points over the final five minutes,
including a trio of 3-balls, but the Knights could never cut the
Matadors lead below six points.
EL CAPITAN 65, OCEANVIEW 58 - HEATHER MOLZEN scored
a career-high 32 points, seized 14 rebounds and made 6 steals
to lead the Vaqueros (10-1) to a convincing Santana/Horsman Classic
semifinal victory over the previously unbeaten Seahawks (8-1)
on Monday (Dec. 29).
"Heather carried us," El Capitan coach DARIN CURTIS
said. "She was the difference tonight. She broke the press
and scored at the other end."
Molzen was 13-for-18 from the field while adding six free throws
and securing 14 rebounds. She also made 6 steals, blocked 2 shots
and handed out 3 assists.
"Our big girls beat their press all night," Curtis said,
noting that despite foul trouble, sophomore ALLISON DUFFY finished
with 20 points and a dozen rebounds.
El Capitan was riding the momentum of a 15-point lead midway through
the 2nd quarter when Duffy picked up her 4th foul and had to sit
out the most of the 3rd period.
"It's credit to Heather that she played the whole game,"
Curtis said. "She was a warrior out there for us tonight."
ALISSA UNDEN added 10 points, 9 assists and 7 steals for the Vaqueros.
GRANITE HILLS 52, MIRA MESA 46 - JENNIFER WHITMOYER
extended her East County 3-point shooting lead to 36 by canning
6 treys as the Eagles qualified for a championship berth in the
Granite Hills Sportland Festival by dispatching the Marauders
in Monday's (Dec. 29) semifinals.
Whitmoyer's 18 points topped the Eagles, who also received 14
markers from MARNESHA HALL.
SANTANA 75, PATRICK HENRY 38 - JORDAN FRANEY pounded
in 21 points and cleared 9 rebounds as the Sultans (9-3) submerged
Patrick Henry in Monday's (Dec. 29) Santana/Horsman Christmas
Classic consolation bracket.
Santana broke the game open in the 2nd quarter as Franey netted
12 points and ROBIN APPLEBY tossed in 8 of her 12, propelling
the Sultans into a 44-24 advantage.
MARQUEAX BASS contributed 11 assists, 8 deflections, 6 steals
and 7 points for Santana.
GROSSMONT 48, W. P. WAGNER (Canada) 36 -The Foothillers
catapulted themselves into the consolation finals of the Granite
Hills Sportland Festival Monday night (Dec. 29) with a convincing
victory over the visiting Canadian W. P. Wagner Warriors.
Once again the Foothillers were led by their blossoming sophomore
standout guard SAM MOHAN, who poured in a game high 18 points
while collecting 4 steals. East County's second leading 3-point
shooter, senior LAURA "en fuego" FELICE hammered home
two more home-run balls (now at 28 for the season) en route to
her 15 points.
The GONZALES sisters, ANNIE and MICHELLE, again confused their
opponent as they combined for 7 steals and 8 points, while freshman
KENDRA MYERS added 7 points of her own.
MONTE VISTA 72, EL CAJON VALLEY 43 - A 30-point 1st
quarter propelled the Monarchs (9-4) to a lopsided victory over
the Braves in Monday's (Dec. 29) Granite Hills Sportland Festival
contest.
SHALIA BOHANNON (23) and TASHANA HOWELL (20) supplied a one-two
punch for Monte Vista, which knocked out the Braves (3-6) in opening
eight minutes.
Bohannon was deadly from the free throw line where she netted
11 of 12 free throws, helping Monte Vista score its season high.
Howell hit a quartet of 3-pointers to help achieve her 20-point
finish, which also included 7 steals and 4 rebounds.
TANISHA SHELLY led a strong supporting cast with 10 points, 8
rebounds and 6 steals.
MARISSA MARTINEZ paced El Cajon Valley with 11 points.
WESTVIEW 34, VALHALLA 33 - Valhalla took its first
lead of the game with :14.6 seconds left to make it 33-32. After
a Westview timeout, the Norsemen played tight defense and forced
a wild shot from the post.
Unfortunately for the Norsemen, a back side rebound was corralled
and put back with 1.3 seconds left and a Westview victory.
"Our man defense struggled in the first half," Valhalla
coach ROBERT WILSON said. "We allowed their motion offense
to run as they pleased. On the other side of the ball, we were
unlucky around the basket and struggled to put points on the board."
In the second half, Valhalla's defense seemed to have more
bite.
"We followed our man principles and put a wrinkle in their
offense," Wilson said. "For us offensively, we shot
much better and dominated on the boards. DANIELLE (ST. JOHN) and
CHELSEA (KITCHENS) played extremely well down the stretch."
Trailing 20-12 at the half, the Norsemen fought back to a 22-20
deficit with a minute to go. Two fouls and 4 free throws later
they were on top by 6 to end the quarter.
Kitchens finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds for Valhalla
(7-5), while St. John secured 13 rebounds to go with 7 points.
HELIX 57, SAN DIEGUITO ACADEMY 54 - After a lackluster
performance in a morning consolation game - a 20-point loss to
Orange Glen - in the Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic, the Highlanders
found new life in Monday night's (Dec. 29) opening round of the
Cougar Classic at Steele Canyon.
Junior ASHLEY PENN, who scored only three points in the morning
game, clicked on 10 of 16 shots - including 4 three-pointers in
the opening half of the nightcap - to finish with a season high
24 points to hoist the Highlanders (6-4) over the Mustangs.
DIANA LEASAU added 15 points and 6 rebounds, while CHASITY TOILOLO
chimed in with 10 rebounds, 5 points, 4 steals, 3 blocks and 2
assists.
Freshman MELE LEASAU chipped in with 7 steals, 6 rebounds, 4 assists,
6 points and 3 blocks for Helix.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE 50, STEELE CANYON 48 - Playing what
Steele Canyon coach FRANK QUINONES called "our best game
of the year," the Cougars came within 13 seconds of a major
victory in Monday's (Dec. 29) opening round of the Cougar Holiday
Classic.
Trailing by seven points with 2:30 remaining, the Cougars (2-12)
scrambled back to tie the game on a layup by CELESTE MARTINS with
57 seconds remaining. But the visiting Vikings score the winning
bucket with 0:13 remaining.
"Lake Tahoe's smallest player was as big as our tallest player,"
Quinones said. "But we still out-rebounded them."
TIFFANIE CROSS led Steele Canyon with 13 points, while Martins
and CASSIE GLOVER popped in 11 apiece.
WEST HILLS 44, EL CENTRO SOUTHWEST 41 - Senior guard
AIME CORDEIRO canned a 3-pointer with 0:13 remaining Monday (Dec.
29) to lift the Wolf Pack to an Aztec Holiday Classic victory
over the Eagles from Imperial Valley.
Three-point shooting is Cordeiro's expertise, as she proved when
she launched the game-winner about two feet above the arc without
resistance.
It was something of a lucky strike, considering the Pack was a
mere 4-for-26 from long distance yet 15-for-30 from inside the
paint.
Cordeiro, a 5-foot-4 senior guard, initiated all of her 8 shots
from long range. She also gathered 8 steals and cleared 7 rebounds.
Sophomore DALIA GHANDOUR scored a career-high 10 points to pace
the Pack.
KEARNY 80, CHRISTIAN 23 - Christian coach TIM JOLLETT
admitted that missing three starters had little to do with the
Patriots' fate in Monday's (Dec. 29) Aztec Holiday Classic encounter
against Kearny at Montgomery High.
The greyhound-like Komets held the Patriots (5-7) to single scoring
digits in every quarter as they created their latest blowout victory.
JAMIE RAY accounted for more than half of the Patriots scoring
totals with 14 points including a pair of treys.
Word on the street is Kearny coach Scotty Gilbert plans to leave
and take his "run-'em-into-the-ground-style" north following
this season to take a job in the Temecula area.
ORANGE GLEN 52, HELIX 32 - DIANA LEASAU (11 points,
5 rebounds, 4 steals) and CHASITY TOILOLO (10 points, 7 rebounds)
were the leaders of a listless Helix offense as the Highlanders
felt the squeeze from Orange Glen in Monday's (Dec. 29) consolation
game.
BRAWLEY 52, STEELE CANYON 26 - This was no contest
as the host Cougars made only 8 field goals while converting just
10 of 34 free throws in Monday's (Dec. 29) 1st round of the Cougar
Holiday Classic.
BASSETT 74, EL CAJON VALLEY 32 - RAWAA PATROS
delivered 11 points in Monday's (Dec. 29) Cougar Holiday Classic
opener, but it wasn't near enough as El Cajon valley fell to 3-6.
(12-29-03)
MONDAY - DEC 29, 2003 EastCountySports.com Cougar Holiday Classic @ Steele Canyon Brawley 52, Steele Canyon 26 Brawley 17 6 15 14 - 52 Steele Canyon 4 4 10 8 - 26 Steele Canyon scoring: Celeste Martins 9, Tiffanie Cross 5, Keisha Stiles 3, Hayley Johnston 2, Amanda Rice 2, Adrianna Ussery 2, Alexis Robinson 2, Cassie Glover 1. - South Lake Tahoe 50, Steele Canyon 48 So. Lake Tahoe 9 13 6 22 - 50 Steele Canyon 13 12 8 15 - 48 Tiffanie Cross 13, Cassie Glover 11, Celeste Martins, Amanda Ric 5, Keisha Stiles 5, Kelly Boozel 2, Alexis Robinson 1. - Helix 57, San Dieguito Academy 54 Helix 15 15 15 12 - 57 San Dieguito 9 19 14 10 - 54 Helix scoring: Ashley Penn 24, Diana Leasau 15, Mele Leasau 6, Chasity Toilolo 5, Sharika Thompson 4, Racquel Primas 3. - Bassett 74, El Cajon Valley 32 Bassett 12 28 27 7 - 74 El Cajon Valley 9 9 6 8 - 32 El Cajon Valley scoring: Rawaa Patros 11, Tynisha Smith 6, Tala Kosa 6, Michelle Thompson 4, Sabrina Julien 3, Tashiana Foster 2. - Aztec Holiday Invitational @ Montgomery Kearny 80, Christian 23 Kearny 23 14 26 17 - 80 Christian 6 5 4 8 - 23 Christian scoring: Jamie Ray 14, Rachel Edelen 5, DePriest 2, Britni McCaskill 1. - West Hills 44, El Centro Southwest 41 El Centro Southwest 7 17 8 9 - 41 West Hills 15 5 11 13 - 44 West Hills scoring: Dalia Gandour 10, Aime Cordeiro 9, Muaau Naderhoff 9, Danielle Edmondson 8, Caramie Huntington 7, Kylee Krings 1. - Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic Santana 75, Patrick Henry 38 Patrick Henry 13 11 8 6 - 38 Santana 18 26 19 12 - 75 Santana scoring: Jordan Franey 21, Robin Appleby 12, Shae Bass 8, Margeaux Bass 7, Courtney Ash 7, Amie Leach 6, Ashley Baker 5, Heather Thomas 3, Maria DeBarrows 2, Kelsey Ash 2, Ashley Shepard 2. - Semifinal: El Capitan 65, Oceanview 58 Oceanview 9 15 17 17 - 58 El Capitan 19 15 15 16 - 65 El Capitan scoring: Heather Molzen 32, Allison Duffy 20, Alissa Unden 10, Gina Pagano 2, Mallorie Montgomery 1. - Semifinal: Mount Miguel 47, Bishop's 40 Mount Miguel 7 8 14 18 - 47 Bishop's 6 11 5 18 - 40 Mount Miguel scoring: Genevieve Costello 17, Kayla Henry 15, Monique Clayton 5, Jerica Williams 4, Lashawn Johnson 4, Tavasha Yarbrough 2. - Orange Glen 52, Helix 32 Orange Glen 7 13 18 14 - 52 Helix 9 7 9 7 - 32 Helix scoring: Diana Leasau 11, Chasity Toilolo 10, Racquel Primas 4, Ashley Penn 3, Sharika Thompson 2, Chante Coleman 2. - Granite Hills Sportland Festival Granite Hills 52, Mira Mesa 46 Mira Mesa 16 6 10 14 - 46 Granite Hills 15 17 7 13 - 52 Granite Hills scoring: Jennifer Whitmoyer 18, Marnesha Hall 14, Morgan Sabala 5, Amanda McCurdy 4, Jeannie Case 4, Meagan St. John 3, Joy Edwards 2, Briana Lovett 2. - Monte Vista 72, El Cajon Valley 43 El Cajon Valley 13 9 7 14 - 43 Monte Vista 30 12 21 9 - 72 Monte Vista scoring: Shalia Bohannon 23, Tashana Howell 20, Tanisha Shelley 10, Ashley Miller 8, Tiearea Robinson 4. Britney Smalls 3, Sara Peckinpaugh 2, Johnae Jackson 2. - Grossmont 48, W.P. Wagner (Canada) 36 Grossmont 13 13 10 12 - 48 W.P. Wagner 16 3 7 10 - 36 Grossmont scoring: Sam Mohan 18, Laura Felice 15, Kendra Myers 7, Michelle Gonzales 6, Annie Gonzales 2. - Westview 34, Valhalla 33 Valhalla 4 8 8 13 - 33 Westview 11 9 6 8 - 34 Valhalla scoring: Chelsea Kitchens 10, Angel Burch 8, Lauren Sheppard 8, Danielle St. John 7. (12-29-03)
Valhalla's (32) Nina Schmidt on offense,
while El Camino's (35) Jo Jo Diego is on defense Tuesday night
(12-16-03)/photo by Nick Pellegrino
Vaqueros, Matadors on collision course for
Horsman Tournament
EastCountySports.com
SANTEE - If all falls into place, El Capitan
and Mount Miguel could meet for
the championship of the Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic Tuesday
(Dec. 30) at
7 p.m. That would be something to see, considering these teams
put on a
double-overtime show won by the Matadors 55-49 in the San Diego
Section
Division II finals at Cox Arena last year. Neither team, however,
can afford to look
ahead as this matter of surviving Monday's (Dec. 29) semifinals
stands in the
way.
El Capitan (9-1) takes on Oceanview of Huntington Beach at 5:15
p.m. and
Mount Miguel (9-3) takes on Bishop's at 7 p.m. The semifinal double-header
is
at Santana.
MOUNT MIGUEL 63, PATRICK HENRY 41 - MONIQUE CLAYTON scored a career high 15
points, while KAYLA HENRY hammered in 11 points and collected
7 rebounds
Saturday (Dec. 27) as the Matadors skipped past Patrick Henry.
"Monique may be our most athletic girl,"
Mount Miguel coach ROBBIE SANDOVAL
said of the 5-foot-7 sophomore. "She's able to take it inside
and get to the
free throw line." She did against the Patriots, converting
6 of 10 chances.
JERICA WILLIAMS returned to the Mount Miguel
lineup for 9 points, 3 assists
and 3 rebounds. GENEVIEVE COSTELLO added 8 points, including 4-for-4
shooting
from the line. TAVASHA YARBROUGH also canned 8 points for the
Matadors.
EL CAPITAN 51, RAMONA 38 - Sophomore ALLISON DUFFY turned in another
impressive double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds Saturday
(Dec. 27) as did
HEATHER MOLZEN (10 points, 17 rebounds) in El Capitan's 9th win
in 10 starts.
Duffy also made five steals, while Molzen blocked 3 shots.
MALLORIE MONTGOMERY knocked down a pair
of treys en route to a 10-point
night, while GINA PAGANO also hit two 3-pointers.
The Vaqueros put the game away in the 1st
quarter as they advanced to a 19-6
lead and never looked back.
BISHOP'S 50, SANTANA 43 - It is a rare night indeed when the Sultans turn
the ball over 27 times in a game, but that what happened Saturday
(Dec. 27).
The visiting Knights made like pickpockets against the host team
of the
Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic.
Despite the loss, coach WADE VICKERY did not criticize his young team.
"We didn't play poorly," he said.
"We played OK, and that's not good enough
to beat a team like Bishop's."
Sophomore JORDAN FRANEY turned in a strong
game for the Sultans (8-3),
nailing all 8 of her free throw attempts as she finished with
14 points. She
also collected a dozen caroms and recorded 5 steals.
"We need to get Franey more scoring
help," Vickery said. "We need more
scoring threats out there. If we don't, we will be awfully easy
to defend."
Senior ROBIN APPLEBY led Franey's supporting
cast against Bishop's with 10
points and 10 rebounds. MARGEAUX BASS chimed in with 8 points,
8 assists and 6
deflections.
HELIX 56, HILLTOP 43 - Trailing 37-35 entering the 4th quarter of Saturday's
(Dec. 27) Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic encounter, the Highlanders
(5-3)
erupted for a 21-6 scoring spree to steal the victory away from
the Lancers.
DIANA LEASAU and ASHLEY PENN each scored
8 of their game high 21 points in
the 4th quarter flurry. Leasau also enjoyed a fast start, stuffing
in 9 points
in the opening quarter, helping Helix take a 16-9 edge.
Despite battling foul trouble, Leasau managed
to shoot well, hitting 7 of 12
from the floor and 7 of 8 free throws. Penn was 6-for-10, popping
in a pair of
threes and 7 of 10 free throws.
GRANITE HILLS 64, CENTRAL UNION 42 -
JENNIFER WHITMOYER and JEANNIE CASE
canned 13 points apiece to lift the host Eagles (8-3) past the
El Centro
quintet Saturday (Dec. 27) and into Monday's (Dec. 29) semifinals
of the Granite Hills
Sportland Festival. The Eagles will host Mira Mesa at 5:40 p.m.
The pivotal quarter in Granite Hills' conquest
of Central Union was the 3rd
when the Eagles rang up 27 points to expand their 11-point halftime
lead to
55-30. Whitmoyer drilled in a pair of her three 3-pointers in
that explosive
quarter, while MARNESHA HALL also hit a bucket from beyond the
arc. Hall
finished with 9 points.
MONTE VISTA 29, CLAIREMONT 23 - Although hardly awed by her team's overall
performance in Saturday's (Dec. 27) Granite Hills Sportland Festival
game,
Monte Vista coach SANDY WRIGHT had to applaud the Monarchs 14-0
4th quarter
blitz that produced an 8th win 12 starts.
"It was amazing how many air balls
we shot those first three quarters (to
trail the Chieftains 23-15)," Wright said. "Our shooting
was definitely off."
SHALIA BOHANNON scored half of her team-high
12 points in the final eight
minutes, while TASHANA HOWELL put in 4 of her 7. Howell also crashed
the boards
for 11 rebounds, and JOHNAE JACKSON yanked down 9 caroms for the
Monarchs.
GROSSMONT 64, HOLY TRINITY 35 - Only three Foothillers reached the scoring
column in Saturday's (Dec. 27) Granite Hills Sportland Festival
romp over the
Canadian visitors.
SAM MOHAN set the pace with 23 points, 8
rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
She scored 19 points in the first half as Grossmont (7-6) charged
on top 43-25
by the break. LAURA FELICE scored all but two of her 22 points
in the first
half, including a quartet of 3-pointers.
But the big shot in this victory was ANNIE
GONZALES, who connected on 9 of 20
shots en route to a career high 19 points. She also grabbed 4
rebounds and
dished off 3 assists. Her sister, MICHELLE GONZALES made 8 steals
and retrieved
7 rebounds.
EL CAJON VALLEY 45, CALEXICO 35 - RAWAA PATROS powered in a game-high 17
points and also made 6 steals Saturday (Dec. 27) as the Braves
(3-5) clipped
Calexico in a Granite Hills Sportland Festival game.
TYNISHA SMITH contributed 13 points and
6 rebounds for El Cajon Valley, which
also received 10 rebounds from TASHIANA FOSTER and 9 apiece from
MICHELLE
THOMPSON and TALA KOSA.
POWAY 63, VALHALLA 34 - The Titans used a 20-0 run to snap an early 4-4
deadlock in Saturday's (Dec. 27) romp over the Norsemen in a Granite
Hills
Sportland Festival contest. The second and third quarters were
not much better
for the Norsemen as Poway kept pounding down the baskets.
Poway, shooting better than 70 percent from
the field in the first three
quarters, led by as many as 43 points.
"We never quit, never gave up,"
Valhalla coach ROBERT WILSON said. "It seemed
like Poway hit every shot it took, at least half of the shots
coming from 15
feet and out."
To further frustrate Valhalla, the Norsemen
shot 21 percent from behind the
arc against the Poway zone defense.
CHRISTIAN 53, EL CENTRO SOUTHWEST 34
- Despite playing without two starters,
the Patriots made short work of the Eagles from the Imperial Valley
in
Saturday's (Dec. 27) Aztec Holiday Invitational at Montgomery
High.
RACHEL EDELEN cashed in 21 points and JAMIE
RAY rocketed in 13 more as the
Patriots improved to 5-6. Ray launched in a trio of 3-pointers,
while Edelen
nailed 10 deuces. Freshman BRITNI McCASKILL rang up a career high
11 points for
the Patriots.
"(Southwest) was in a 2/3 zone and
we were able to make shots, which is great
for our confidence level," Christian coach TIM JOLLETT said.
KEARNY 74, WEST HILLS 39 - The fast-breaking Komets outscored the Wolf Pack
in every quarter Saturday (Dec. 27) as they cruised to the Aztec
Holiday
Invitational victory at Montgomery.
AIME CORDEIRO accounted for nearly half
of the West Hills scoring total with
a 16-point effort. That included a pair of 3-pointers. CARAMIE
HUNTINGTON also
landed two shots from long distance for 6 points.
The Wolf Pack shot less than 33 percent
from the field (14-for-43).
(12-27-03)
SATURDAY - DEC 27, 2003 EastCountySports.com Aztec Holiday Invitational @ Montgomery Kearny 74, West Hills 39 Kearny 17 18 16 23 - 74 West Hills 9 9 11 10 -39 West Hills scoring: Aime Cordeiro 16, Caramie Huntington 6, Dara Preston 4, Kylee Krings 4, Caitlin Weiss 3, Dalia Ghandour 2, Danielle Edmondson 2, Muaau Naderhoff 2. - Christian 53, El Centro Southwest 34 Christian 15 7 17 14 - 53 El Centro Southwest 5 4 15 10 - 34 Christian scoring: Rachel Edelen 21, Jamie Ray 13, Britni McCaskill 11, Grace Garcia 5, Sarah Seymour 3. Santana/Horsman Christmas Classic @ Santana El Capitan 51, Ramona 38 Ramona 6 7 11 14 - 38 El Capitan 19 12 9 11 - 51 El Capitan scoring: Allison Duffy 16, Heather Molzen 10, Mallorie Montgomery 10, Gina Pagano 6, Valerie Logel 3, Alissa Unden 3, Erin Brandon 3. - Mount Miguel 63, Patrick Henry 41 Mount Miguel 13 13 15 13 - 63 Patrick Henry 13 8 11 9 - 41 Mount Miguel scoring: Monique Clayton 15, Kayla Henry 11, Jerica Williams 9, Genevieve Costello 8, Tavasha Yarbrough 8,Lashawn Johnson 6, Victoria Murphy 4, Kayla Huddleston 2. - Bishop's 50, Santana 43 Bishop's 9 14 19 8 - 50 Santana 10 11 8 14 - 43 Santana scoring: Jordan Franey 14, Robin Appleby 10, Margeaux Bass 8, Shae Bass 5, Amie Leach 3, Courtney Ash 2, Heather Thomas 1. - Helix 56, Hilltop 43 Hilltop 9 13 15 6 - 43 Helix 16 8 11 21 - 56 Helix scoring: Diana Leasau 21, Ashley Penn 21, Racquel Primas 7, Mele Leasau 3, Chasity Toilolo 2, Sharika Thompson 1, Mallorie Brown 1. - Granite Hills Sportland Festival Granite Hills 64, Central Union 42 Central Union 6 11 13 12 - 42 Granite Hills 12 16 27 9 - 64 Granite Hills scoring: Jennifer Whitmoyer 13, Jeannie Case 13, Marnesha Hall 9, Joy Edwards 8, Morgan Sabala 8, Meagan St. John 6, Briana Lovett 4, Amanda McCurdy 3. - Monte Vista 29, Clairemont 23 Clairemont 9 8 6 0 - 23 Monte Vista 6 4 5 14 - 29 Monte Vista scoring: Shalia Bohannon 12, Tashana Howell 7, Tanisha Shelley 6, Ashley Miller 2, Sara Peckinpaugh 2. - Grossmont 64, Holy Trinity 35 Grossmont 18 25 13 8 - 64 Holy Trinity 15 10 5 5 - 35 Grossmont scoring: Sam Mohan 23, Laura Felice 22, Annie Gonzales 19. - El Cajon Valley 45, Calexico 35 Calexico 10 5 8 12 - 35 El Cajon Valley 10 15 11 9 - 45 El Cajon Valley scoring: Rawaa Patros 17, Tynisha Smith 13, Tala Kosa 5, Michelle Thompson 4, Tashiana Foster 2, Marissa Martinez 2, Abigail Mendez 2. - Poway 63, Valhalla 34 Poway 20 16 23 4 - 63 Valhalla 4 7 11 12 - 34 Valhalla scoring: Angel Burch 10, Adrianna Malone 9, Lauren Sheppard 6, Chelsea Kitchens 5, Danielle St. John 4. (12-27-03)