Matadors top Hillers; Grandy makes appearance

By Ramon Scott
Updated: February 12, 2020

Grossmont during a time out against Mount Miguel on Friday

2020 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

EastCounySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – The Mount Miguel Matadors clinched at least a share of the Grossmont Hills League championship by outlasting the Grossmont Foothillers, 47-43, on Tuesday.

Mount Miguel (18-7) improved to 18-7 and will hang a 20th-consecutive Grossmont Conference league banner. The Lady Matadors can clinch the banner outright with a win over Helix on Friday.

The score was tied at 24-all at halftime.

The Matadors got off to a strong start, as Zanna Hurst and Jacquee Brown made three-point baskets as Mount Miguel put up 19 first-quarter points to lead, 19-10.

But Grossmont did a good job defensively against Mount Miguel over the next two quarters, holding the Matadors to just 14 points in those periods.

Ixchel Rojo hit a three-pointer in the third quarter for Mount Miguel, then Brown and Jennifer Moreno had three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Moreno finished with 17 points, while Brown had 12 points, and Rojo finished with 11 points.

“I feel like Grossmont was able to come so close because when a shot would go up we didn’t try and box out. Instead, we were just trying to out-jump them even though most of them were taller than us. That allowed them to get a defensive board and push or even get an offensive board and a putback,” Brown said.

Sarah Henry scored 17 points for Grossmont. She had 10 points in the second quarter.

“Our team played tough against a great squad tonight and fell short,” Henry said. “We see this game as another stepping stone in our quest back to the Division II championship.”

Shyann Van Kirk had 12 points, along with 12 rebounds for the Foothillers.

“We had a solid game plan but had a few poor execution moments in the fourth that was costly,” Grossmont head coach Grace Campbell said. “We played great tonight and if we keep playing the way we have been playing, we will do great in playoffs.”

Grossmont figures to be a top-five seed in the upcoming Division II playoffs.

“We came in tonight’s game knowing that with a win we would clinch a piece of the league championship,” Campbell said. “My girls came out confident and determined. Despite the loss, I am very proud of how they played. Sarah Henry stepped it up tonight as her senior year is coming to an end.”

EL CAPITAN 49, WEST HILLS 27 – El Capitan senior Jordan Grandy entered the game in the fourth quarter on Senior Night, making a free throw in the fourth quarter.

Grandy, a star player for the Vaqueros who has been sidelined this season with a knee injury, made her first appearance of the season. She is a four-year varsity player.

An emotional moment as our only senior who has been out all season with ACL, gets her moment on senior night. Jordan, look at what you have built, look at who you have become. We are so proud of you🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/i9HNkUjq6a

— El Capitan Girls Basketball (@ECHSbasketball) February 12, 2020

Grandy finished her career with the highest three-point field goal percentage in school history. She averaged just shy of eight points per game in her career.

El Capitan controlled the game from the outset, jumping out to a 12-2 lead after the first quarter and 26-6 at halftime.

Junior Mackenzie Curtis scored 19 points for the Vaqueros.

“Tonight was all about Jordan Grandy,” Curtis said. “We played for her on her Senior Night.”

El Capitan finished 6-2 in the Grossmont Hills League race. The Lady Vaqueros can finish in a tie for the championship if Helix upsets Mount Miguel on Friday.

“We had a hard week last week,” Curtis said. “The girls have been stepping up and we are still trying to find our identity as a team and as individuals.”

Shiana Peres had a pair of three-pointers in the first half, then, freshman Kaylee Cole had a trey in the second quarter for El Cap. Curtis had a three in the third quarter.

“I thought we made Curtis earn all of her points,” West Hills head coach Ryan Kinser said. “We did a pretty good job on the big girls although their size wore us down at times.”

Paige Evans made a trio of three-pointers for West Hills.

“I’ve just always been the strongest at shooting rather than anything else although I would like to get better at everything,” Evans said.

Katie Caires made a three-pointer for West Hills, while Caitlyn Stayner had nine points.

“Paige Stayner played really well,” Kinser said.”In the second half, she was able to get steals and get out in transition and make some plays. Katie Caires played well defensively guarding Curtis all night.”

West Hills (13-10) should qualify for the Division II playoffs.

SANTANA 51, STEELE CANYON 26 – The Sultans improved to 8-1 in the Grossmont Valley League with the home win over the Cougars on Senior Night.

Briana Jerig had 15 points for Santana, including a three-point field goal. She also added eight steals.

Bella Terry added eight points for the Sultans. She also had seven rebounds and seven blocked shots.

Taylinn Warren also finished with eight points, along with seven rebounds, for Santana (14-13)

Lakaila Aguiningoc-David had a three-pointer for the Sultans. She handed out eight assists, as well.

The Sultans led 12-4 after the first quarter and 24-9 at halftime.

MONTE VISTA 39, GRANITE HILLS 38 – The Monarchs improved to 6-3 in Grossmont Valley League play.

Monte Vista will face El Cajon Valley on Friday. The Monarchs have already clinched a second-place finish in the Grossmont Valley League.

The Braves will be trying for a 5-5 league mark.

CHRISTIAN 71, SERRA 56 – Senior Simone James scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Patriots, who finished in a tie for second place with the Conquistadors in the Western League standings.

Allie Carreon, a senior, has 12 points and nine assists for the Patriots.

Amaya Howard, another senior, had 10 points.

Junior Kristin Williams had eight points and six assists for CHS (5-3, Western, 18-10).

EL CAJON VALLEY 57, VALHALLA 52 – Freshman Ruth Taulanga scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for El Cajon Valley in the Grossmont Valley League win over the host Lady Norsemen.

Vean Gorgees added 12 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists for the Braves.

Junior Fineita Taulanga had four points and 10 rebounds for ECVHS.

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