Patriots, Foothillers fall in semifinals

By Ramon Scott
Updated: February 28, 2020

2020 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO – The second-ranked Cathedral Catholic Dons defeated the Christian High Lady Patriots for the third time this season, eliminating the Pats from the San Diego CIF Open Division playoffs with a 65-53 semifinal win on Wednesday night.

“Our girls played very hard we just didn’t put four quarters together,” Christian High head coach Vickie Carrington said. “I was so proud of our defense in the first half. We only had two fouls and we kept it close.”

Isenuh Brady hit three threes in a row in the second quarter.

However, Taryn Johnson stepped up for CC and had nine points that were big buckets.

Senior Allie Carreon had 18 points and seven rebounds for Christian, while senior teammate Simone James had 12 points.

“Our defense in the first half was amazing,” Carreon said. “We had backside help and we played Ice (Brady) really well. Sadly, in the second half, we did not really play our best defense. We just gave up to many easy buckets and we didn’t stick to the game plan on forcing them left.

“Our seniors definitely wanted this more than anything but we fell short. We came out really strong and we were putting up a good fight. That third quarter snuck up on us and that’s when they got their run. I’m extremely pleased with how our season went. It wasn’t ideally how I wanted it to finish but we still have state (playoffs).

James had 13 rebounds and three steals for Christian.

Junior Kristin Williams had a pair of three-pointers for the Patriots.

Christian led its rivals, 19-17 after one quarter and trailed just 32-29 at halftime.

But once again against the Dons, the Patriots started slowly in the third quarter.

Cathedral outscored Christian, 18-7, in the third.

“Quarter three was tough,” Carrington said. “We came out and got four fouls back to back and it really shifted the momentum of the game. My staff and I were believing and really felt if we picked up our intensity and didn’t accept defeat we would be back in it.”

“Sarah Moyer was playing extremely well, and she played both ends of the court. She showed up and showed out.”

The Patriots are 19-11 on the year.

“It’s been such a crazy and long ride,” senior Raelyn Mueca said. “I love my teammates unconditionally. I’ve seen them every single day pretty much throughout the entire year. And I would not have it any other way. I’m going to miss them so much. It’s going to be so weird when we all graduate because they are truly my sisters for life.”

The Dons defeated Christian for the fifth-straight time dating back to last season.

“It was a tough loss having to guard Izzy and having her score less points this game and still the outcome was an ‘L’,” Mueca said. “It was really heartbreaking especially because Simone and I lost to Cathedral our freshman year in the first round of playoffs. And then to lose to them again later is just crazy.”

Christian High still will advance into the state division playoffs.

“I’m excited about regionals and hope we can get as far as possible because we have been dreaming about this since we were freshman and sophomores on the team,” Mueca said.

Moyer is one of six seniors on the team.

“I just bring a strong presence on the floor and also bring physicality,” Moyer said. “I always try and have high energy.”

LINCOLN 45, GROSSMONT 43 – The Hornets won on a putback as time expired, eliminating the Foothillers in the San Diego CIF Division II semifinals.

The Foothillers had several opportunities late to take the lead as the teams battled back-and-forth.

Anyssa Chargualaf tied the game with a free throw in the final minute for Grossmont.

Jaylyn Johnson had a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter for Grossmont.

Shyann Van Kirk also had a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter as Grossmont kept the pressure on late.

Chargualaf and Johnson both had a three-pointer in the second quarter for Grossmont.

Sarah Henry made a three-pointer in the first quarter for the Hillers.

EastCountySports.com