GIRLS: Patriots reflect on success

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 19, 2020

2020 EAST COUNTY PREP GIR BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON – The Christian High Lady Patriots took time to reflect what they have accomplished so far this season as the county’s third-ranked team.

Christian High fell to nationally-ranked Etiwanda, 63-58, on Saturday.

The Lady Patriots actually jumped out to an 18-11 lead after one quarter against the nation’s 11th-ranked ballclub.

However, the Eagles proved their might taking over the game from there in a 63-45 victory.

Still, Christian is 14-6 this season despite back-to-back losses following a defeat at the hands of second-ranked Cathedral Catholic a night earlier.

“I’m so proud of my girls,” Christian High head coach Vickie Carrington said. “They play hard for us coaches and each other – we are 14-6 and have played against some of the best teams in the nation. I am extremely blessed. Despite the losses – and there a few we should not have lost, but we did – we’ve been playing outstanding basketball. I never thought we have such a great record, our schedule has been tough.”

The Patriots jumped out to a wild start in the Martin Luther King Shootout game against the visitors from the Rancho Cucamonga area.

Simone James had five first-half field goals and Allie Carreon drained a trio of three-pointers in the first half to help Christian to the lead, but Etiwanda was able to slow the Pats after that.

“We’ve played every top team we could have,” Carrington said. “I knew my girls would be ready for a tough schedule like this because we been preparing all offseason for this season. With five very skilled and talented seniors, we needed to play the kind of schedule we have. It wouldn’t do us any good to play a schedule that wouldn’t challenge us. We have five college-bound seniors who will play at the next level. This kind of schedule will certainly help toughen them up for college ball.”

The Patriots still have goals for a league title and an Open Division crown. Despite falling behind in the league standings to the Lady Dons, Christian is still a top contender for both championships.

The teams play on such a level that many of the results are determined by which team plays best on a given night and not decided by which team has more talent since it is difficult to discern.

“I coached varsity for 15 seasons at Horizon Christian (2002-2017),” Carrington said. “I have always had some good players on my squads even early in my career, although I was in the building stages of my program.”

CARRINGTON’S TOP TEAMS

2004-2005 group

2006-2007 Team

2010-2011 CIF Team

2012-2013 CIF Team / State Regional Team

2015-2016 CIF Team

2019-2020 Team

The most talented teams, according to Carrington, which she has coached in order are:

(1) 2012-2013 squad (two nationally ranked players)

(2) 2015-2016 squad (McDAA player and two top state-level players)

(3) 2006-2007 squad

(4) 2019-2020 squad

Carrington is nearing the 300 win mark in her coaching career. The Patriots will face the Serra Conquistadors on Tuesday.

“This squad is without question the best team I’ve coached at Christian High and no doubt probably as good, if not better than, the 4-time state championship teams to come out of CHS,” Carrington said. “There are a lot of talented players in San Diego and East County is getting better with talent, also. You have us, Mount Miguel, Grossmont, El Cap, Foothills all with key impact players this year. it’s pretty cool to see. But, yes I do think my girls are truly special and indeed very talented. They get better every practice and try to make each other better every practice. Practicing against some of the best players in the county is indeed a blessing.”

I think I bring strength and physicality to the team although a lot of girls have that, as well. In the last two games, we came out with a lot of high intensity and energy. We just need to work on consistently keeping that energy and intensity so we can finish the game strong. – Sarah Moyer

I feel I bring a lot of energy off the bench by playing aggressive. My defense would be one of my best assets right now because I’m still developing and improving in the other aspects of my game. I’m very grateful and honored that I will be able to share the moment with Coach Vickie and to beat Serra. I have to stay checked in and contribute to the team in all areas offensively or on defense. – Koko Akridge

I feel like I bring energy to the team when I come off the bench on the defensive end. I think that I can always be counted on to give full effort, heart, and hustle. I am very excited to be able to be apart of the 300th win (for coach Vickie Carrington) especially being with Coach Vickie since my freshman year. I feel like I will for sure be able to assist by having good on-ball pressure, help defense, picking out the ball and then hopefully that transitioning into easy fast break points – Raeyln Mueca

The main thing I wanted to work on this season was defense. We really just need to finish games because we start out amazing but just lack the energy to keep the lead. I think once we figure out what we need to do to keep that lead up and finish games we will be unstoppable. Cathedral is always a tough game but we are coming with vengeance the next time and for sure wanting to compete for co-league champs. I just need to keep my same energy on defense but contribute more on the offensive end to truly help the team succeed. – Kristin Williams

I appreciate El Cap and their families and have enjoyed watching their success as well. I am so grateful to be were I am and to be a part of this successful team. I still have a lot of growth needed to compete at the level my team plays but I look forward to being a major part of our team’s success. and I can’t wait to be apart of coach Vickies 300th win – Serene Weckback

It’s such a blessing to be apart of Coach Vickie’s 300th career win. i think it’s such a huge thing because we play tough games and these wins were tough for all of us. This season has been different from the rest because our team is closer and we feel more as a family. You can see by the way we are playing basketball, we play as one, that’s why our word for year is ‘one’. I know my team needs me and no matter if my shots are falling or not. I need to keep playing. My leadership was needed in these past games and I feel like I showed really good leadership, no matter what. – Allie Carreon

Our game against Cathedral was a tough loss, and we could have followed the game plan better, but next time we will execute better and ready for vengeance. Cathedral will always be tough but we are tough, too. It’s exciting to be so close to getting Coach Vickie her 300th win. That’s a huge accomplishment and the ability of being a part of her legacy makes me so proud. I cant think of any coach who deserves this more than she does. Our team has worked so hard and we all understand how this is such an important moment. I’m so proud of how far our team has come because we play a tough schedule. We still will continue to improve. I am proud of my teammates and the sisterhood we have created for three years. We are truly blessed. My teammates, coaches, admin, and AD are all supportive, hardworking, caring and so much more. I’m so thankful God has brought us to this place and I’ll be forever grateful. – Simone James

SANTANA 45, CRAWFORD 25 – The Sultans won again, this time against the Colts, to improve to 8-12 on the season.

Lakaila Aquiningoc-David had nine points and four rebounds for the Sultans.

Julia Zakkak had a great performance with nine points and four rebounds for Santana.

Sultan junior Bella Terry added eight points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Taylinn Warren grabbed 10 boards for another big game on the glass.

Santana’s Gabrielle Ley had nine caroms.

EL CAPITAN 56, LINCOLN 46 – At the Martin Luther King Shootout, El Capitan knocked off the Hornets in a matchup of two strong teams.

Lincoln led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, but the Vaqueros outscored the Hornets, 18-10, in the third quarter.

The Vaqueros outscored Lincoln, 16-12, in the final stanza.

El Capitan improved to 13-8.

Lincoln fell to 13-5.

Mackenzie Curtis had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Shiana Peres added 13 points for the Vaqueros.

Emma Driskill contributed eight points, while Jacey Danks finished with seven points for the Vaqueros.

Freshman Kaylee Cole and sophomore Tiffany Bickford both had six points for El Cap.

MONTE VISTA 53, KEARNY 31 – In a game played at El Cajon Valley High, the Monarchs won against the Komets, improving their record to 8-12 on the season by outscoring Kearny, 17-3, in the third quarter.

The Monarchs led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter but the Komets eventually led 24-20 at halftime.

Sophomore Samantha Gonzalez led the Monarchs with 17 points, while sophomore Meadow Delino and senior Heidy Romero both finished with eight points.

MOUNT MIGUEL 50, SERRA 48 – The Matadors bounced back with a two-point win over the Conquistadors.

Serra reportedly led 31-22.

Mount Miguel improved to 12-6 on the year.

No other information was reported.

CARLSBAD 50, HELIX 43 – The Lancers outlasted the Highlanders in overtime in a game played at El Cajon Valley High.

Helix rallied in the fourth quarter to notch the game at 39-all after trailing by eight following three periods of action.

Carlsbad led early, 10-5, after one quarter.

Sophomore Ariy’Ana Duke had 12 points, five steals and 16 rebounds for Helix.

Junior Le’Niayah Jones added 10 points, six steals, and seven rebounds for the Highlanders.

Junior Selena Solomar had eight points, including a pair of three-pointers, for Helix

Senior Jada Patterson finished with six points.

Helix junior Samonah Betts had five points, seven rebounds, four blocked shots, and five assists.

EL CAJON VALLEY 53, HIGH TECH CHULA VISTA 20 – The Braves won their contest over the Bruins at the Martin Luther King Shootout at El Cajon Valley High.

Fineita Taulanga, a junior had 15 points for the Braves.

Freshman Aniah Deloatch and freshman Ruth Taulanga both had 11 points for El Cajon Valley.

OTAY RANCH 57, GROSSMONT 50 – In the Shootout at Christian High, the Mustangs had a big third quarter to get past the Foothillers.

Down 29-25 at halftime, Otay Ranch outscored Grossmont, 19-8, in the third for the comeback win.

Grossmont is 10-9.

SCRIPPS RANCH 63, VALHALLA 7 – Scripps Ranch held Valhalla scoreless for the entire second half.

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