Sultans, Vaqueros suffer early defeat

By Adam Paul
Updated: December 30, 2017

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

SWEETWATER 56, SANTANA 53

The Sultans looked to end the year in the win column in the So Cal Holiday Classic Blue Division but unfortunately, the Red Devils had other ideas as they were able to hold off a furious comeback in the end.

Both teams would go back and forth in the first quarter but Sweetwater would take the lead with about five minutes left despite Kobie Holland scoring 6 points in the quarter for Santana. The slim 10-9 lead would be extended by the Red Devils when they nailed a three-pointer at the end of the quarter to lead 13-9.

In the second quarter, both teams struggled to find the basket but Santana would finally pull within 17-16 with about five minutes remaining when Zoe nailed a three-pointer. A few seconds later the Sultans would tie the game at 17-17 on a free throw but that would only last a couple of minutes as Sweetwater went on a 6-0 run draining a couple three-pointers to take a 24-17 lead. Sweetwater would end up adding another basket as would Santana just before the break to bring them within 26-20 at the intermission.

A few seconds later the Sultans would tie the game at 17-17 on a free throw but that would only last a couple of minutes as Sweetwater went on a 6-0 run draining a couple three-pointers to take a 24-17 lead. Sweetwater would end up adding another basket as would Santana just before the break to bring them within 26-20 at the intermission.

Sweetwater would end up adding another basket as would Santana just before the break to bring them within 26-20 at the intermission.

Santana in the third quarter would push the Red Devils as they would use a 6-0 run to pull within 30-28 but Sweetwater would counter with a little run of their own to take a 41-32 lead after three quarters.

More offensive fiery by the Sultans to start the fourth as they scored the first seven points of the quarter to make it 41-39 with about five minutes remaining. They would eventually push their run to 15-4 to tie the score at 45-45 with two minutes to go in the contest. The Red Devils would score a couple quick baskets to take a 49-45 lead which they wouldn’t relinquish even though the Sultans would pull within 53-51.

They would eventually push their run to 15-4 to tie the score at 45-45 with two minutes to go in the contest. The Red Devils would score a couple quick baskets to take a 49-45 lead which they wouldn’t relinquish even though the Sultans would pull within 53-51.

The Red Devils would score a couple quick baskets to take a 49-45 lead which they wouldn’t relinquish even though the Sultans would pull within 53-51.

Leading the Sultans in scoring was Holland who scored 18 while Zoe scored 17.

OLYMPIAN 52, EL CAPITAN 47

It was a fast furious contest between the Eagles and Vaqueros in the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic NAIA Division third-place contest. Both teams came out and were able to keep up with each other as both teams scored nine points in the first quarter.

Both teams came out and were able to keep up with each other as both teams scored nine points in the first quarter.

Both teams in the second quarter put up points but the Vaqueros would garner the upper hand as Mackenzie Curtis would lead the Vaqueros with 8 points as they would take a 23-21 lead at the break.

However, things started fast for the Eagles as they retook the lead via a 5-0 run to lead 26-23 with about six minutes remaining in the quarter.

Both squads would go back and forth with the Vaqueros retaking the lead on a three-pointer by Virginia Martin with :50 left to make it 34-33.

“Virginia Martin really plays hard on defense and we put her on their best guard,” El Cap head coach Darin Curtis said. “She came up with the big three-pointer down the stretch.”

Unfortunately, Olympian had one more push in them as they were able to score the final four points of the quarter to retake the lead 37-34 heading into the final period of play.

More of the same in the final period as both teams went back and forth and the contest would go down to the wire as El Capitan would pull within a couple of points but just couldn’t get over the hump.

The Eagles countered with a crucial basket with :30 seconds remaining to make it 50-45.

However, the Vaqueros wouldn’t go down without a fight as they would pull within 50-47 and would foul hoping the Eagles wouldn’t convert their foul shots with :4 seconds remaining but unfortunately the Eagles sank both shots.

Curtis would lead the Vaqueros points on the day with 24 points while Devon Bullock would contribute with 10 points.

“(Bullock) continues to work on getting her teammates open,” Curtis said. “(Curtis) had a tremendous tournament (averaging 24 points per game). Her ability to play inside and out and ability to go left and right has opened her game.”

Despite falling to 3-9 on the season the Vaqueros will definitely be ready come league play as they have played a very tough schedule so far this season.

“You think we would be down, but we feel really good about where we are going into the new year,” Curtis said. “We have the toughest preseason schedule in D3 with one more tournament next week before we head into Grossmont Conference play.”

Devin Bullock had a season-high 10 points for El Cap.

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