GIRLS: Patriots win in Showcase event

By Ramon Scott
Updated: May 24, 2021

Christian High sophomore Koko Akridge/ / Dave Dickens

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON – The host Christian High Patriots defeated the Torrey Pines Falcons, 65-58, at the Patriot/Crusader Showcase at Ryan Athletic Center on Saturday.

Christian’s Tiffany Bickford scored 19 points, including a three-pointer in the first quarter as the Patriots got off to a strong start, putting up 23 points in the first eight minutes.

Bickford was 10-for-14 at the free-throw line.

“My role was to attack the basket and either get all the way to the hole and draw the foul or kick it out to my teammates where they were able to hit some big shots,” Bickford said. “We needed to get their main players in foul trouble and we were able to get the torrey pines post player to foul out with 6 1/2 minutes left in the 4th quarter which definitely helped.

Kristin Williams, a senior, scored 16 points for the Patriots, connecting on a pair of threes.

“(Torrey Pines) was face guarding me the whole game but in the second half I started scoring more,” Williams said. “I think we had a lot of things going against us in this game but I’m glad we pushed through.”

Sophomore Koko Akridge really showed her shooting ability in this one, connecting on four three-pointers, including two in the opening quarter. She finished with 14 points.

“My teammates did a great job of moving the ball and shifting the defense, Akridge said. “Also, they drove and kicked it to me which gave me open shots when the defense helped.”

Serene Weckback contributed six points.

“We just started playing our game and not just rushing up shots,” Weckback said. “We also locked down on defense instead of just fouling. We just have to remember to help early on defense so that we don’t commit dumb fouls.”

Christian High improved to 7-7 overall.

EL CAPITAN 51, OLYMPIAN 30 – The El Capitan Vaqueros girls varsity basketball team controlled the game from the outset against the visiting Olympian Eagles on Saturday, tuning up for the big final week of the regular season.

El Capitan led 16-4 after one quarter. The Vaqueros led 45-17 heading into the fourth quarter.

Mackenzie Curtis scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead El Cap. She made six three-pointers in the contest and also had six assists and four steals.

Senior Emma Driskill added 10 points for the Vaqueros.

Sophomore Kaylee Cole had a pair of three-pointers for El Capitan (18-7), while freshman Amaya Tone also had a three.

EL CAJON VALLEY 47, MAR VISTA 37 – The host Braves won on Saturday against the winless Mariners, rallying from a halftime deficit and taking control in the second half in a big way.

El Cajon Valley, which won for the fifth time this season, did make a living at the free-throw line, however, making 25-of-33 foul shots.

Mar Vista led 20-15 at halftime but the Braves took an 18-8 edge in the third quarter and kept in going in the fourth.

Senior Silvia Aboud led El Cajon Valley with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocked shots.

Senior Fineita Taulanga scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Braves.

Aboud and Taulanga combined to go an impressive 19-of-23 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore Ciara McCray showed out with eight points.

Sophomore Nancy Luna had a three-pointer for ECVHS and also recorded five steals.

SAN DIEGO 45, STEELE CANYON 41 – The Cougars lost a late lead and fell at home against the Cavers in a competitive game throughout.

Steele Canyon was sharp early, getting out to a 10-2 lead.

After the Cougars’ Khamira Carter scored to give SC a 13-7 lead, the Cavers quickly got back into the game and cut it to 13-11 early in the second quarter.

San Diego (5-11) led 20-17 at halftime but it was the Cavers who started out hot in the second half, scoring the first seven points for a 10-point lead.

Bella Rasho scored for the Cougars to stop the drought, the Naomie Muname added a field goal a few moments later and the lead was sliced in half.

In the fourth quarter, Steele Canyon (4-9) started to turn the contest in its favor.

After trailing 32-26 in the third quarter, the Cougars surged to a 39-34 lead with just over three minutes left in the game.

Rasho closed the game to 34-33 with an early field goal in the fourth.

Moments later, Muname scored back-to-back buckets to give Steele the five-point lead.

Ciara Bracey tied the game at 39-all for San Diego High, then Maliyah Ward made a bucket to give the Cavers the lead.

SCRIPPS RANCH 57, GROSSMONT 39 – The Foothillers, after clinching the Grossmont Valley League title on Senior Night came out flat-footed against the Falcons at the Patriot/Crusader Showcase at Ryan Center on Saturday morning.

Scripps Ranch led 16-4. after one quarter and 32-12 at halftime before the Hillers managed to get moving somewhat in the third quarter.

Grossmont fell to 13-5 overall, while Scripps Ranch improved to 7-9.