ROUNDUP: Patriots, Matadors, Highlanders get Monday wins

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 4, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

A couple of East County teams in the county top ten picked up decisive victories on Monday night…

CHRISTIAN 83, UNIVERSITY CITY 30 – This one actually wasn’t as close as the score indicated, believe it or not, as the third-ranked Patriots led 75-25 after three quarters.

Christian, which improved to 2-1, scored the first 12 points of the game.

Junior guard ALLIE CARREON led the Patriots with 22 points, including three three-pointers.

“I feel like I did well on contributing on both ends of the floor,” Carreon said. “It’s exciting to be back and finally being able to play this year. Can’t wait to see our growth as a team.”

Meanwhile, senior guard YESINIA SMITH added 17 points for the Patriots.

“Coming into the game we had a lot of points of improvements to work on as a team so we used this opportunity to grow and clean some things up before we go on through the rest of our tournaments,” Smith said. “I just play for God and my team, and no matter the outcome, try and show my coach I can lead the team.”

Sophomore guard KRISTIN WILLIAMS contributed 13 points for Christian, including three three-pointers, while teammate SIMONE JAMES added 12 points.

Junior guard AMAYA HOWARD had two three-pointers in the first half for CHS, as did Carreon and Williams.

“We did the little things,” Carreon said. “We got consecutive stops, we rebounded the ball well and we just played good offense and defense as a team.

Junior guard RAELYN MUECA also had a trey in the first half.

The Patriots will play at Vista Murrieta on Tuesday.

“We’re playing a team we don’t know very much about so we just have to play our game and work hard for each other,” Smith said. “Just learn from today’s game and just pray that God be with us and if it is his will we can come out with the dub. Be the best team on game day.”

Patriot coach VICKIE CARRINGTON had some encouragement for the team before and after the game, according to Carreon.

“As Coach Vickie said, ‘We need to play like we are playing the best team in the nation,’ ” Carreon said.

“We just need to take that mindset and use it for the games and season ahead. We just need to focus on execution and defense and I feel like we will do just fine. If it’s in God’s will, we will win.

“We don’t know very much about Vista Murrietta but we just need to come out strong and just play for God and play for our sisters. ”

MOUNT MIGUEL 87, EASTLAKE 27 – Sophomore SYLENA PETERSON, coming off a school-record 45-point performance last time out, scored 26 points, had 10 assists, grabbed five rebounds and had five steals for the Matadors in a Matador Classic game.

Fifth-ranked Mount Miguel, which improved to 5-1, tuned up for its Wednesday meeting at home with sixth-ranked Bonita Vista.

Senior guard TIAJA BENNETT had 16 points, 10 steals and four rebounds for the Matadors.

“We shared the ball, executed more plays out, fixed most thing that coach ROB (SANDOVAL) stated we needed to pick up on and change,” Bennett said. “We came out with good energy and kept it up all through the game.”

Senior guard CITALLI GURROLA added 16 points and three assists for the Matadors.

Senior guard DEYONNA MCBRIDE had three points, four rebounds and three steals for Mount Miguel, while junior guard NYA MAGA had two points, two rebounds and two assists for the Matadors.

Also for the visiting Matadors, sophomore guard JACQUEE BROWN had two points and a pair of blocks, while freshman forward JOPONICA MELVIN had two points.

The Matadors led 35-4 after one quarter and 59-12 at halftime.

“We were more locked in today and Saturday (in a loss to Cathedral Catholic) was a waking point for us,” Bennett said. “If we play how we play tonight with energy and as a team and execute when we have to, we will have a good game on Wednesday.”

HELIX 49, STEELE CANYON 33 – The Highlanders won the Grossmont Conference matchup in Spring Valley and improved to 2-1 overall.

Helix continues with its fourth-straight road game on Thursday when it faces Lincoln.

The Cougars will travel to face Bishop’s on Wednesday in a Matador Classic game.

EastCountySports.com