Griffins, Jaguars fall at GC Holiday invite

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: December 29, 2018

Grossmont College during a timeout on Friday.

East County Sports staff report

EL CAJON (12-29-2018) – Technically, Southwestern College holds the San Diego County record for most points scored by a community college women’s basketball team, scoring 122 against the University of San Diego varsity (not junior varsity) in the days prior to state-sanctioned women’s athletics in 1977-78. The then-Apaches ran over the then-Toreras (not “Toreros”) in 1975.

On Friday (Dec. 28), the present-day Jaguars almost allowed more than 120 points, but the Lady Techsters of L.A. Tech fell just one point short in the highest-scoring contest in the history of the Grossmont Holiday Invitational, taking a 119-73 decision over Southwestern

The state-ranked Lady Techsters were impressive in scoring 54 points in the first half for a 16-ppoint lead, but did better over the final 20 minutes by posting 65 additional points.

LATT (13-2) guard Cheyenne McKinnie scored 40 points, falling just one point short of the tournament record. McKinnie also added 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 6 steals in a dominating performance.

Also for the Lady Techsters, Cheyenne Givens added 29 points and Machari Johnson had 28.

For Southwestern (5-5), Maya Robinson came off the bench to register team-highs with 14 pointd and 12 boards.

The Jaguars will meet Citrus in Saturday’s consolation semifinals. The Owls fell to Cypress, 69-63, as the Chargers advance to meet Trade-Tech.

Grossmont Invitational
Victor Valley 73, Grossmont 62: The fast start by the host Griffins was quickly erased, as the Rams took Friday’s (Dec. 28) first-round contest at the 31st Grossmont Holiday Invitational.

The G-House raced to a 13-point lead in the opening five minutes — easily their best effort of the season — but by halftime the margin was a measly 31-30 advantage. And when Victor Valley opened the second half on a 22-10 run, the Griffins were sent into the weekend’s consolation rounds.

For Victory Valley (5-9), forward Cierra Steemer led with 21 points and 10 rebounds, including 12 points in the third period to spike the lead to 56-42.
The Griffins (1-9) saw guard Drew Mendoza establish career-high in both scoring (22) and rebounding (8).

Chiara Mattern was next with 19 points, while Devann Horton also posted a career-best with 18 boards. Included were 11 offensive boards for Mattern, part of 30 by the Griffins. However, 27.5 percent team shooting from the floor canceled the team’s massive 62-31 rebounding advantage.

On Saturday, the Griffins will meet Santa Ana. The Lady Dons of Orange County fell to Cuesta College of San Luis Obispo, 66-56.

Fullerton Tournament

Long Beach 56, San Diego Mesa 50 (OT): The Olympians had two chances to seal the deal but could tie the game at the end of regulation, then the Vikings scored the final six points in overtime to capture Friday’s (Dec. 29) consolation semifinals of the Riley Memorial Tournament at Fullerton.

Mesa held a 42-35 lead late, but the Vikings scored seven straight before Olympians guard Samantha LeMay-Zambrano sank two foul shots with 0:07 remaining.

In the extra session, Aaliyah Williams scored a basket for a 50-49 lead with 1:23 left, but the Vikings blanked Mesa the rest of the way.

For Long Beach (6-9), guard Rosalinda Taosoga led the team with 14 points, forward De’Brianna Hampton added 12, while high-point forward Naomi Winston-Ellis was a triple threat with 8 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
Mesa (4-9) received a game-highs of 17 points and 22 rebounds from center Yusra Gharram. Williams and LeMay-Zambrano added 9 points each.

East L.A. Tournament

Imperial Valley 57, L.A. Harbor 44: The Lady Arabs advanced to Saturday’s consolation final of the East Los Angeles Tournament by pounding L.A. Harbor College of Wilmington.

Leading at the half by a 27-21unt, Imperial Valley shot nearly 50 percent from the floor (14-for-29) in the second half to pull away.

IVC (6-8) received 19 points each from Destiny Salgado and Keren Hogue. Salgaod also added 14 rebounds and blocked 7 shots, while Hogue also chipped n 8 boards, 7 steals, and 5 assists.

The Seahawks (8-8) saw Katelyn Martin score 16 points, but her teammates combined to shoot just 29 percent (11-for-38) from the floor.

Non-Conference

San Diego City 81, L.A. Southwest 31: The Knights posted their largest margin of victory in years in stomping the Cougars. Technically, LASW is winless on the court, but are niw 1-9 following a forfeit by Taft College.

City College guard Breeana Gafare, who missed the three previous games, responded well from her absence, scoring a gamer-best 29 points. The total fell one point short of her career high of 30 against College of the Desert. Gafare also registered 6 steals, 6 boards, and 5 assists.

Others leaders for the Knights were Alissa Wolfblack with 12 points and 7 steals, forward Mariah Wonders with 11 rebounds, and Kiley Pope with 9 points and 5 steals.

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