Lady Monarchs win fourth straight

By David Dickens
Updated: December 2, 2021

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

SPRING VALLEY (12-1-2021) — Narrow losses, blowouts, they all equate to a ‘W’ in the win column. It has been contagious for both girls and boys basketball in this young season. It is quite frustrating for the team up by double digits to just up and quit on a scheme that is taught and utilized.

Throughout the four years most of the seniors, and even juniors or sophomores, have had success and understanding of why they use the press defensively. Most of the smaller teams in height and in available bench players, maybe a roster of nine total players, hard to rotate and compete, therefore the press is needed, and has led to victories over great, average, and young teams growing into their own.

Bottom line, it is not an easy task to snap your fingers or click your shoes three times and you’re in Kansas, or you shift your mindset to playing half-court against an inferior opponent such as Canyon Hills, at least this season.

“It was definitely an adjustment that took some time to try and master. Our immediate instinct is to press, and the fact that toward the end of the game we had to remember to get back and play half-court per Coach Sabz (Sabrina Jimenez), was definitely different for us. However, we also need to get used to making this adjustment, because we never know when we will have to pull back the press and go half court. My goal personally in half-court defense is to practice moving my feet more instead of trying to reach in for the steal. As for my team, I would say no reaching as well but also practicing and getting out rotations to a near perfect. “ said Meadow Delino of the Monte Vista Monarchs.

The contest against the Rattlers belonged to the host Lady Monarchs from the very beginning.

As the Monarchs were already clearly on top at the end of the first quarter, playing lights out defense and scoring often, as they led 17-3, at the end of the first quarter.

It was a little closer as Monte Vista had already started working on playing half-court defense. The result was a 15-10 Monarch win in the second quarter, but much closer than the first quarter as Monte Vista backed off on press, leaving the halftime score 32-13, Monte Vista.

The second quarter would be the closest the Rattlers would get to catching, or at least winning a quarter, as the Lady Monarchs would continue to dominate, regardless of their defense and what way they chose to play it, sometimes you are just the better team, as Monte Vista clearly had the game in hand in the third quarter also, leading and winning the third quarter, 22-7.

Even with the bench players in and playing half-court man for the last and final quarter, it was still the same result, although much closer, 13-9 Lady Monarchs. Ultimately taking the game 67-29. The bench players and starters are to be commended for their combined effort in a flawlessly played game on behalf of the Lady Monarchs, who have also now won their fourth game in a row, leaving them at 5-1.

For Monte Vista, Delino led with 30 points, including five three-pointers, while Lina DeLeon had 20 points, including three three-pointers.

Coming up next, trying to win their fifth straight, the Lady Monarchs will face Marantha Christian, (1-0), on the road on Friday, December 3 at 6 p.m.

EL CAJON VALLEY 33, MAR VISTA 25 – The Braves were able to down the Mariners behind 11 points and 10 rebounds from senior Paulina Pelayo.

El Cajon Valley junior Ruth Taulanga had eight points and 11 rebounds.

The Braves improved to 3-3 by taking care of the host Mariners (1-4) thanks to a 13-6 edge in the first quarter.

Leading just 16-10 at halftime, ECV outscored Mar Vista, 13-2, in the third quarter.

SAN DIEGO 40, HELIX 37 – The Highlanders (0-2) got nine points from Angel Riggins, all of which came in the third quarter, as Helix had a big comeback from down 26-9 at halftime.

Sophomore Valerie Marquez had a field goal and a pair of free throws in the fourth quarter for Helix.

The Highlanders couldn’t buy a basket early on and were suffocated by the full-court pressure of San Diego (6-1).

Helix made adjustments at the half and cut the lead to 34-30 with six minutes left in the game.

The Highlanders had possession with 3.5 seconds to play but the Cavers prevented them from getting a shot off.

Sophomore Reagan Haytasinngh had six points for the Scotties.

SANTANA 24, CASTLE PARK 20 – The Sultans (2-1) held off winless Castle Park (0-4).

SAN DIEGUITO ACADEMY 40, EL CAPITAN 28 – The Mustangs picked up their first victory of the season at the expense of the Vaqueros, who fell to 2-5.

SOUTHWEST (SD) 54, VALHALLA 19 – The Raiders, making their season debut, throttled the Lady Norsemen in a non-league contest. Valhalla trailed 25-4 at halftime and fell to 3-2 overall.