Matadors defeat ranked Carlsbad

By Ramon Scott
Updated: April 21, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – The Mount Miguel Matadors had to post a second-half rally to get by Carlsbad in a matchup of two of the top teams in the county on Tuesday evening.

It was just the second loss for the fourth-ranked Lancers in 11 games this season. Mount Miguel moved to 7-2.

The sixth-ranked Matadors trailed 25-23 at halftime before taking a 39-32 lead at the end of three quarters.

Sophomore Jennifer Moreno scored 16 points for the Matadors, including four three-pointers made. She also had four steals and three assists.

Sophomore Ixchel Rojo added 11 points for Mount Miguel.

Juinor Danay Williams-Pope finished with 10 points, three blocked shots, and seven rebounds for MMHS.

“I was trying to help out on the defensive side since my teammates were undersized compared to Carlsbad,” Williams-Pope said. “It was key that I grab the rebounds and keyed in on blocks and steals. I know my time will come on offense

Of the two teams’ two losses thus far this season, both have lost to La Jolla Country Day, currently the No. 1-ranked team in the county.

“Both Carlsbad and La Jolla Country Day were great competition,” Williams-Pope said. “It will really help us to compete better after playing both teams.

Junior Nataly Bravo hit a pair of three-pointers for Las Matadors.

But it was the play of Zanna Hurst that Matador head coach Robbie Sandoval that was actually the key to the victory.

“Zanna was guarding their best player and was our best defensive player tonight,” Sandoval said. “She’s a big reason we won this game.”

Hurst had the assignment on Carlsbad sophomore Madison Huhn.

“It was a team effort,” Hurst said. “I knew I had to go out and guard (Huhn) and do what I had to do to help us win. Coach Rob knows where I’m going to be the most effective on the floor.

“To play against Carlsbad is a really great game for us to compete in, it really pushed us. I think this was our best performance this season. We need to play every game with this level of intensity.

The Matadors announced on Tuesday that their annual pink-out game to celebrate the life of late former Matador great Genevive Costello will be held on Friday against the Monte Vista Monarchs in the Grossmont Hills League opener at 5:30.

“(Costello) was a great player and a big part of this program so we want to go out and play hard and win,” Hurst said. “From what I know, Genevieve played hard and through adversity for Mount Miguel. We are glad to be a part of this event.”

The Monarchs are one of the county’s top surprises this season, sprinting out to a 10-2 start, currently ranked 16th in the county power ratings – second only behind the Matadors among East County teams – and ahead of other locals including Christian, El Capitan, and Grossmont.

“We know how much this game means to Coach Rob and we know Gen was a hard-working player, so we’re going to play hard and do our best,” Williams-Pope said. “It’s going to be a good game for sure. We have confidence as a team that if we can play hard and come ready, we can play against any team.”

First, however, Mount Miguel will host Grossmont at home on Thursday, also at 5:30.

EL CAJON VALLEY 31, WEST HILLS 28 – The Braves limited to Wolf Pack to just two points in the fourth quarter and rallied to win in Santee, topping the Wolf Pack for the first time in 15 years – home or on the road.

The Braves trailed 17-15 at halftime, then the Wolf Pack extended the lead to 26-22 at the end of three quarters.

Sophomore Ruth Taulanga had nine points and 14 rebounds for the Braves, while teammate Aniah Deloatch, also a sophomore, added eight points and three assists.

Braves senior Silvia Aboud also had eight points, including a three-pointer. She also grabbed eight rebounds, blocked two shots, and handed out four assists.

Senior Fineita Taulanga had two points, 13 rebounds, and four assists for the Lady Braves.

The Braves will open Grossmont Valley League play on Friday against Santana.

El Cajon Valley improved to 3-4.

EL CAPITAN 41, GROSSMONT 37 – The host Vaqueros used a 13-9 fourth-quarter edge to determine the winning margin over their current rival, the Grossmont Foothillers, in Lakeside.

El Capitan led 20-16 at halftime.

The teams came into the game very evenly rated, according to the computer ratings.

GRANITE HILLS 40, SAN DIEGO 25 – The Eagles moved to 4-4 with the win over the host Cavers (0-2) on Tuesday evening.

Monday

LIBERTY 67, HIGH TECH SAN DIEGO 36 – The Lady Lions dusted the Storm to improve to 6-3 overall. The Lions travel to Mountain Empire to play the RedHawks in a non-league game on Thursday, April 22.

Saturday

GRANITE HILLS 40, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 33 – The Eagles won thanks to a 12-5 edge in the fourth quarter.

Foothills Christian trailed 21-12 at halftime but rallied to tie the game at the end of three quarters.

Senior Carolina Burke had 17 points and 10 steals for Foothills Christian.

Granite Hills improved to 4-3 on the season.

STEELE CANYON 45, SAN DIEGO 36 – The Cougars won against the host Cavers, holding San Diego to just nine second-half points to gain their first victory in four starts.

Friday

EL CAPITAN 48, ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE 45 – The Vaqueros won this one in the final minute of the game after the Pilots tied the game at 45-all with a minute to play.

Mackenzie Curtis scored 17 points in the first half for the Lady Vaqueros. She made a three-pointer in the waning moments of the contest for the win.

Kaylee Cole also had a three-pointer in the game.

MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 69, MONTE VISTA 58 – The undefeated Eagles moved to 5-0 by handing the Monarchs just their second loss of the season in 10 starts.

Maranatha led 38-24 at halftime.