Knights, Patriots showcase wins

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 12, 2020

2020 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO – It was expected to be a pretty good matchup when the Foothills Christian Knights were “sized up” with the El Capitan Vaqueros on Saturday at the Private vs. Public Showcase at Mount Miguel High.

The Knights knew the Vaqueros would have the height advantage in the pre-determined event.

The game also had star power and a close result as the Knights held on for 68-63 victory over the Vaqueros.

The Knights got 62 of their 68 points from just three players.

“This was a great win and a great game for us,” said Foothills Christian’s Arantxa Fonseca, who had 21 points. “We played as a team that’s why we won. Our shooting was just really good.”

Senior Ellie Turk had 22 points, junior Arantxa Fonseca had 21 points, and sophomore Nataly Bravo finished with 19 points.

“They were definitely big and physical but we had to play hard because we were smaller,” said Turk, who had nine assists, five rebounds, four steals, and a blocked shot.

Foothills Christian forced the tempo early and led, 23-16, after the first quarter.

However, El Capitan closed the lead to 33-29 at halftime.

Tiffany Bickford, of the Vaqueros, had a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter and finished the game with nine points.

“We played today like we had a big game last night,” Bickford said. “We weren’t super-prepared for this game because we were so focused on our first league game last night (a win over Helix).”

Fonseca had eight rebounds and six blocked shots.

“Ellie and Nataly with their threes and the good passing and leadership as point guards,” Fonseca said.

Turk had nine assists, four steals, and five rebounds.

“I have a lot of respect for Ellie Turk and the rest of the Foothills team,” Bickford said. “I think our two teams matched up well against each other. The first half was a little difficult because we did not come out ready and we just dug ourselves in a hole. We kept fighting back though so I’m really proud of my teammates for that. You either win or you learn and today, we learned.”

Faith Wilson had six points, a pair of assists and five rebounds for FCHS.

Foothills Christian improved to 15-3 while the Vaqueros fell to 11-8.

Fonseca added eight rebounds, six blocks, and a pair of assists.

Bravo came home with three steals and a pair of blocked shots.

Faith Wilson ended with five rebounds.

“Faith finishing shots in the basket,” Fonseca said. “Of course, Caroline (Burke) helped us a lot with her amazing defense on Mackenzie (Curtis). Everything in this game was mental. My job was to wall up and not commit fouls and it worked. Running was our advantage because we are a fast team and could break the pressure. I’m so happy I’m with this team. I love them all and I can’t be more grateful to be a captain with Ellie.”

Burke ended with three assists, a pair of rebounds, and a steal for FCHS.

“It was a good team win,” Foothills Christian head coach Joey Turk said. “Ellie and Arantxa both played really well. We really shared the ball well and made key plays when we had to. We’re thankful for the growth of our team and hoping to continue to get better and mature as a team. There are plenty of challenging games ahead and we really want to keep improving.”

El Capitan senior Mackenzie Curtis had 22 points in the game.

Vaquero Jacey Danks added 10 points.

El Capitan fell to 11-8 overall.

“This week we’re going to work really hard to truly define what our team is and we’ll be ready to play Mount Miguel next Friday,” Bickford said. “I have grown so much as a player just this year and I have to thank my teammates, coaches, my trainer, Ryan Razooky, and my family for that because they push me beyond measure. We may have lost today but we’ll be ready for next Friday and I can promise you that.”

The Vaqueros hosts Mount Miguel next Friday at 5:30 in what should be one of the big games of the season that will determine the Grossmont Hills League champion.

“It was a hard game bouncing back from last night but we got to play a team that plays a lot like Mount Miguel,” Curtis said. “We gave it our all last night (in a win over Helix)and we just dug ourselves to huge of a hole today. It was a good test before we have to play them on Friday when it matters for league.

“I thought everyone had some good moments and I thought that the girls shot down their shots. Shiana (Peres) and Tiffany hit some threes.

“Stephanie (Yeakle) was a threat and took good looks. She will be the reason we go so far. She has stayed consistent all year long and is the backbone of our team.”

CHRISTIAN 75, POWAY 51 – The Christian High Lady Patriots won their matchup at the Public vs. Private Showcase at Mount Miguel High on Saturday with a blistering start.

Christian led 25-12 after one quarter and 45-23 at halftime.

The Patriots kept it up in the third quarter with a 22-9 run as Christian led by 35 after three periods.

Simone James scored 28 points for the Lady Patriots, including a three-pointer in the first quarter.

James had 18 points in the first half.

Freshman Koko Akridge had four three-pointers in the game for CHS to display her sharp-shooting ability.

Christian’s Kristin Williams had three three-pointers in the first half.

Allie Carreon had a three-pointer in the first quarter for the Patriots, who had five treys as a team in the opening eight minutes.

The game was relatively tight in the opening minutes, as Poway battled to a 10-all game early.

MATER DEI CATHOLIC 52, MOUNT MIGUEL 30 – The Mount Miguel Lady Matadors drew the toughest matchup at the Public vs Private Showcast, as the Crusaders played impressively to improve to 8-5.

Freshman Jennifer Moreno had 10 points, five rebounds and two assists for the Matadors, who was in the game well into the third quarter.

JoPonica Melvin, a sophomore, had four points, five rebounds and a steal for Mount Miguel.

Ixchel Rojo, a freshman, had seven points, four rebounds and three assists for the Lady Matadors.

Matador junior Jacquee Brown ended with five points.

Jerzey Edmonds, a junior guard, had four points and nine rebounds for Mount Miguel (11-5).

“We played hard but wore down,” Mount Miguel head coach Robbie Sandoval said. “We were short-handed so it was a learning experience.”

RANCHO BERNARDO 49, GROSSMONT 40 – Top ten team Rancho Bernardo knocked off the Foothillers, who fell to 9-8 overall.

The game was part of the Tip-Off Classic.

Rancho Bernardo is now 16-4 this season.

EastCountySports.com