Matadors nearly get major upset despite loss of Smith

By Bill Dickens
Updated: January 19, 2016

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

By Bill Dickens

© East County Sports.com

SAN DIEGO (1-19-16) — Scrappy Mount Miguel was on the verge of upsetting Temecula Vista Murrieta in Monday’s (Jan. 18) MLK 2016 Showdown at Horizon.

That would have been quite an accomplishment for the Matadors (13-5), considering Vista Murrieta (16-2) is ranked No. 7 in the state by MaxPreps.

“We should have won the game,” said Matadors coach ROBBIE SANDOVAL. “The kids played hard but made too many late turnovers.”

The Matadors led from the get-go until the final four minutes. Mount Miguel had two major problems, however, in that point guard LAILA SMITH left the floor in the second quarter with a knee injury.

DESTINI ANDERSON was hounded by fouls, picking up 3 in the first half and one early in the third quarters. She was limited to 14 of 32 minutes of court time.

SATERA BATES, who was asked to play point guard when Smith departed, led the Matadors with 16 points and 8 rebounds. She also hit a pair of treys.

Despite her brief playing time Anderson finished with 8 points, while CAMARA DOUGLAS added 7 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

ROZLYN PIERCE pounded the boards for 15 rebounds, 2 blocks and 6 points.

The Matadors will have a special encounter on Friday (Jan. 22) against Monte Vista with their special “Pink Out” game in memory of the late GENEVIEVE COSTELLO, a former outstanding Matador guard who lost her battle with cancer at an early age.

Mount Miguel: Satera Bates 16 (8 reb, 1 ast, 1stl), Destini Anderson 8 (1 reb, 2 ast), Camara Douglas 7 (9 reb, 3 blk), Rozlyn Pierce 6 (15 reb, 2 blk), Amber Hard 4 (6 reb), Laila Smith 4 (1 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl).

GROSSMONT 54, SWEETWATER 36 – Back-to-back scoring sprees of 15 points apiece by SYMONE GRIFFITH and TAISHA SILAS helped lift the Foothillers to a lopsided victory over Sweetwater in Monday’s (Jan. 18) MLK 2016 Showdown at Horizon.

“This was a good win for us,” said Grossmont coach GRACE CAMPBELL. “After suffering two back-to-back losses this week, which was tough to swallow, I hope to carry this momentum over into our next league game versus Santana on Friday (Jan. 22).”

Grossmont (15-4) used a 16-7 third quarter spread to create a blowout against the Red Devils.

Griffith was 6 for 9 from the field and 3-for-6 from the free throw line. Silas was 5-for-8 from 3-point distance.

ATHENA SOTELO scored all of her points from the free throw line where she was 6-for-8. She also handed out 7 assists and recorded 5 steals.

Grossmont: Symone Griffith 15 (4 stl, 3 ast), Taisha Silas 15 (3 reb), Candace Henderson 8 (2 reb, 1 stl), Athena Sotelo 6 (4 reb, 7 ast, 5 stl), Lydia Halcott 6 (6 reb, 1 blk), Jasmine Lee 3 (4 reb), Tassiana Lee 2 (3 reb), Elina McDuffie 2 (2 stl).

L.A. MIDDLE COLLEGE 54, HELIX 42 – The Helix Highlanders were focused on pulling off an upset in Monday’s (Jan. 18) contest in the MLK 2016 Showdown at Horizon.

They trailed 24-23 at halftime and by 5 heading into the final quarter.

That’s when things got away from them when Middle College (formerly Douglass Prep of L.A.) broke the game open with a 16-9 fourth quarter burst.

DANIELLE SIMMONS paced the Highlanders with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while CAMRYN OWENS chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds.

“The girls played solid defense today,” said Highlanders coach PATRICK TABOR. “But our team has to go the extra mile.”

Helix: Danielle Simmons 15 (8 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl), Camryn Owens 11 (7 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Kaliah King 6 (3 reb, 1 ast), Marina Smith 4 (1 reb, 1 stl), Olivia Missouria 4 (1 reb, 1 stl), Taylor Garrett 2 (1 reb, 3 stl), Jazmyne Turner (4 reb).

Granite Hills during a time out Monday night.

MATER DEI 63, GRANITE HILLS 28 – Usually a team that loses in the first meeting against an opponent wants a second chance.

Granite Hills lost to Mater Dei 51-41 five weeks ago and the game was closer than the score indicates.

In Monday’s (Jan. 18) MLK 2016 Showdown rematch at Horizon the Eagles trailed 20-15 after one half.

After that, in the second half it was a landslide in favor of the Crusaders, resulting in a 63-28 lopsided victory for Mater Dei.

“We showed no energy in the second half,” said Eagles coach CURTIS NORWOOD. “We were listless.”

Much like all of the Grossmont Conference teams, this will be finals week and will limit schedules to give players a break from the court to study in the classroom.