Gurrola’s buzzer-beater keeps No. 1 Matadors unbeaten

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 30, 2017

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

By Ramon Scott

EastCountySports.com

SPRING VALLEY – Mount Miguel junior LALLI GURROLA buried a three-point shot from the left side as time expired Friday night, giving the Mount Miguel Matadors a furious rally to comeback in the final seconds to defeat Newport, of Bellevue, Wash., 50-48, in the of the Silver Division at the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic and remain undefeated at 13-0.

Mount Miguel, ranked No. 1 in San Diego County, plays 12-4 Yosemite, of Oakhurst, at 2 p.m. in the Silver Division finals at Mount Miguel High.

Newport fell to 5-2. Yosemite beat La Costa Canyon on Friday night, 44-43.

In the final minute, Matador junior DEYONNA MCBRIDE recovered a deflected pass near midcourt following an intense backcourt trap by MICHELLE CORLEY, SYLENA PETERSON and McBride, herself.

Mount Miguel senior TIAJA BENNETT went up with the Knights’ player to deflect the attempted pass.

McBride got the ball ahead to Peterson, who shoveled it out to Corley, who nailed a three-pointer from the right corner to pull the Matadors to within a point with 11 seconds remaining.

Peterson then intercepted a lob pass on the inbound play, dribbled a few seconds off the clock, then fired the pass over to Gurrola.

Peterson led Mount Miguel with 19 points, while Corley added 13.

Gurrola had 10 points, but none more important than her cool game-winner.

HELIX 66, SOUTHWEST (El Centro) 22 – The Lady Highlanders won in the semifinals of the Montgomery Aztec Holiday Classic to advance to Saturday’s final.

MARINA SMITH had 13 points to lead Helix, which improved its record to 9-3.

DIAMOND WHITLEY added 12 points for the Highlanders, including a three-pointer in the second half.

Southwest fell to 3-5.

CARLSBAD 42, WEST HILLS 27 – In the FIBA Division of the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic, the Wolf Pack lost to the Lancers and will face Patrick Henry at 12:30 p.m. at West Hills High on Saturday.

West Hills stayed close early, as the score was tied 6-all after one.

But the Wolf Pack could only manage two points in the second quarter to trail by 10 at halftime.

The Pack made things interesting, keeping pace and outscoring the Lancers, 15-13, in the third, but couldn’t sustain the comeback attempt.

West Hills forced 14 turnovers.

The FIBA Division final is between Carlsbad and Camp Verde at 2 p.m. at the Wolf Pack’s gym.

CORONA DEL MAR 45, SANTANA 25 – In the So Cal Prep Classic Blue Division, the Sultans were off their game in a loss to Corona del Mar.

Santana plays Sweetwater on Sat. at 9:30 a.m.

The championship game at Santana pits Canyon Crest and San Pasqual at 12:30 p.m.

SCOTTDALE CHRISTIAN 42, VALHALLA 23 – Scottsdale Christian (10-2) handed the Lady Norsemen a defeat at the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic Silver Division game at Valhalla.

It will be the Golden Valley Grizzlies (6-3), of Santa Clarita, versus Valhalla (1-8) at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in the Lady Norsemen’s final matchup of the event.

Scottsdale Christian advanced to Saturday championship game at 12:30 p.m. against Maranatha.

SAN DIEGO 42, EL CAJON VALLEY 25 – In the Bonita Vista Tournament, the Braves fell to the Cavers on Friday.

The Braves trailed 19-9 in the first half.

El Cajon Valley looked strong in the third quarter, outscoring San Diego, 8-7.

The Braves made a three-pointer in the third that closed the lead early to 19-14.

CANYON CREST 62, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 29 – The Knights lost to Canyon Crest, which qualified for Saturday’s championship game.

The Knights will face Clairemont in a consolation game today at 8 a.m. at Santana High.