Jaguars, Griffins fall at GC Invitational

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: December 29, 2018

Grossmont College freshman CHIARA MATTERN puts up a shot on Saturday. / Vanilla Gorilla Photography

2018 COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

East County Sports staff report

EL CAJON (12-30-2018) – Southwestern College wasn’t expected to give L.A. Trade-Tech, the third-ranked team in California, much of a battle. They didn’t.

But the Jaguars were expected to give Citrus a run of its money in consolation play at the Grossmont College Holiday Invitational. And that they did.

Following a slow start, Southwestern came back from 9 points down to force overtime but finally fell to the favored Owls, 74-72.

It was Citrus which needed to make the final rally attempt in regulation, sinking one of two foul shots with 19 seconds remaining to move even at 61-all.

Diana Navarro scored six of her 16 points in the extra session, giving the Owls a 6-point lead. Southwestern got four of them back in the final 30 seconds but ran out of time.

Citrus dominated inside the paint early on, as forward Kyannie Brown led the way with 31 points and 11 rebounds.

However, the Jaguars rallied behind Maya Robinson, who came off the bench to record team-highs of 21 points and 14 boards. Danielle Simmons poured in 19 points and Satera Bates added 14, including 9 in the first half to keep the Jaguars (5-6) in contention.

Citrus (9-5) small forward Diana Navarro was also a standout with 14 points, 7 boards, and 7 assists.

Santa Ana 63, Grossmont 52: In the other consolation contest at the Grossmont Holida Tournament, the Lady Dons took out the host Griffins.

Grossmomt guard Chiara Mattern equaled a career-best with 24 points, shooting 10-for-19 from the floor. M5 of her points in the first half to keep Grossmont close at the intermission at 32-28, but Santa Ana (5-8) used a 16-10 advantage in the third quarter to pull away.

In addition, Grossmont reserve forward Satori Roberson| tallied a career-high 8 points, topping her previous best of 7 against Glendale on the opening day of the season.

The Griffins (1-10) next meet L.A. Trade-Tech to open the “El Camino College White Tournament” (as listed on the CCCAA state website) in Torrance next week.

West L.A. 63, Imperial Valley 54: At Monterrey Park, the Lady Arabs fell to the Wildcats in consolation play of the East Los Angeles College Tournament.

West L.A., located in Culver City, won all four quarters by a single basket, including by a 3-ball in the fourth period to survive.

For the Wildcats (12-7), a balanced scoring effort saw Audrina Villela and Heyavin Johnson score 16 points each, while Lauren Jones added 15.
Imperial Valley (6-9) forward Destiny Salgado posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Arabs. Keren Hogue added 14 points and 5 assists, while Giovanna Estrada received a rare start, yet delivered with a career-best 12 points.

EastCountySports.com