Small forwards power Braves, Pats

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: December 16, 2022

2022-23 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

Aniah Deloatch

4-S RANCH — Boosted by a defense which posted a shutout quarter, the El Cajon Valley girls basketball team was able to stave a late Maranatha Christian rally tp down the host Eagles, 38-31, on Thursday (Dec 15).

The Braves did not allow a point in the second period, mounting a 17-7 halftime advantage. However, even though Maranatha Christian moved to within two points on several occasions in the second half, ECVHS (6-3) held on to win for the fourth time in its last five starts.

Senior small forward/guard Aniah Deloatch led El Cajon Valley with 16 points, while a quartet of teammates — seniors Ciara McCray, Ruth Taulanga and Nancy Luna, plus sophomore Asia Marie Dixon — all added 5 points.

Taulanga also posted 15 rebounds, while Deloatch added 10 boards.

Maranatha Christian fell to 4-3 (no statistics reported).

Next for the Braves is their annual El Cajon Valley Holiday Classic, with the championship game slated for Fri., Dec. 23. In pool play, ECVHS will host Chula Vista, El Centro-Central and Palo Verde Valley of Blythe.

Christian 45, West Hills 41

SANTEE — Three-sport standout Hailey Whitman, a sophomore, poured home 20 points, leading th Christian Patriots past host West Hills, 46-41, Thursday (Dec. 15).

Whitman shot 60 percent from the floor )9-for-15), reaching the 20-point plateau for the third time already this season. The best by the small forward is 24, and she missed double-figures just once when removed early in a blowout victory.

Whitman also paced the defensive effort by blocking five shots for Christian (6-1), which has captured six straight since falling to San Diego HS, the top-ranked ballclub in the division, in the season opener.

The youthful Patriots also received 11 points from Junior Noelle Sanchez, while sophomore Jordyn Bugg grabbed 11 rebounds.

West Hills fell to 5-4 (no statistics reported).