Monarchs get back-to-back OT wins

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 28, 2021

Monte VIsta' and Helix in action on Friday. / mvgirlsbasketball

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

SPRING VALLEY – The Monte Vista High girls basketball team got a workout over the weekend, but it was worth the extra effort.

The Monarchs kept up their winning way, sweeping a pair of Grossmont Conference opponents – Helix and Granite Hills – on back-to-back nights in overtime in both contests to improve to 4-0.

It wasn’t easy, obviously. But needless to say, the team was pretty hype even if they were out of energy.

“Back-to-back games are always tough but back-to-back overtime games is another kind of stamina,” Monte Vista head coach Sabrina Jimenez said.

Friday night’s contest was a great game with Monte Vista taking a 66-65 victory from the Highlanders.

On Saturday, the Lady Monarchs dispatched Granite Hills, 40-36.

Sami Gonzalez led Monte Vista on Friday night with 22 points, while teammate Meadow Delino finished with 16 points and seven steals.

“Helix came in ready to play,” Jimenez said. “It was a battle from the beginning.

“Meadow was taking charges, and Saniaya and Keilani (Polite) were pressuring and sprinting all over the court. They were after every loose ball”

Micyaah Flournoy and Delino had key buckets to help put the game into overtime.

Delino, Gonzalez, and Flournoy, however, ended up fouling out in OT.

“We got into some foul trouble but our bench stepped up and gave us some valuable minutes and energy,” Jimenez said. “Our subs came in and proved that they could handle the pressure and big moments.”

Micyaah Flourney hit three three-pointers en route to 13 points against the Scotties.

Lina DeLeon had eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the first win.

On Saturday, Flournoy led the way with 13 points, including another trio of treys, while Gonzalez added eight points. De Leon contributed seven points, while Delino chipped in with six.

“We had to work together and stay focused on defense despite being tired,” Delino said. “We couldn’t let up the pressure we had on them. We keep attempting to force turnovers without fouling to prevent any easy baskets that would help them make a comeback. In the end, we left everything out on the court and ultimately our defense helped us secure the win.”

Gonzlalez made a clutch free throw to send the game into overtime.

“With this 4-0 start we want to prove a point that we are a strong team and we don’t let up until the clock reaches zeroes,” Gonzalez said. “Even if it goes OT.”

DeLeon and Saniya Raley made free throws to seal the game in OT.

“Everyone was gassed from last night but everyone pulled through towards the end,” DeLeon said. “Our defense was the key. I felt good knowing that all the work that we put in during this offseason is paying off.”

“This team had a whole lot of heart,” Jimenez said. “We are starting to play like we’ve been here before.”

EL CAJON VALLEY 30, VALHALLA 27 – The Braves outscored the Lady Norsemen, 9-6, in the final stanza to come away with the win.

The Braves led 16-13 at halftime.

Ruth Taulanga, a sophomore, had 17 points and 13 rebounds for El Cajon Valley. She was 8-of-14 from the field.

Senior Fineita Taulanga added 12 rebounds, four assists, and contributed two points.

EL CAPITAN 63, STEELE CANYON 24 – At Jamul, the Lady Vaqueros used a 25-2 first-quarter advantage to take out the Cougars early in this one.

The Vaqueros will travel to face Bishop’s on Monday.