Griffins demonstrate improvement in debut

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: November 4, 2023

UPDATED… 2023-24 COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

Fri., Nov. 3

Preseason Poll: Defending CCCAA state champion Orange Coast is No. 1

KEARNY MESA – Fulerton College captured the GM (Grossmont-Mesa) Crossover Tournament title by downing Grossmont College, 79-48, in a rare noon tip-off at Mesa’s gymnasium.

Sarah Shaw, a standout at Junipero Serra High in Orange County yet didn’t receive a college scholarship, dominated with 23 points on 11-for-15 shooting. The forward also posted 8 rebounds, gaining tournament MVP honors from the attending media.

The Hornets (2-0) saw all five starters score in double figures.

The Griffins (0-2) , playing their second game in 16 hours, were obviously sluggish early on, trailing 24-10 and 44-21 following the frst two quarters.

Jenna Wilson (Steele Canyon) again led the G-House in scoring with 10 points. An improving offense saw point guard Sterling Edwards (Canyon Hills) distributed the ball for 9 assists.

San Diego Mesa took second place after downing Saddleback, 69-53. Both sides are 1-1 overall.

Olympians freshman guard Desiree White (Westview) tallied 20 points on 10-for-12 shooting.

Next Wednesday, Grossmont travels to meet Santa Ana College.

Thurs., Nov. 2

According toSC Media, the Bobcats won their first game in 1,350 days! READ MORE HERE.

FLETCHER HILLS — Attempting to overcome last year’s difficult season, the Grossmont College women’s basketball team displayed a surprising consistent offense considering they field a new group of 8 freshmen. However, the Griffins dropped Thursdays (Nov. 2) season opener to visiting Saddleback College of Mission Vieho, 61-40. The contest was part of the GM (Grossmont/Mesa) Crossover Tournament. . BOXSCORE

According to the Saddleback College media relations department, the victory by the Bobcats was the school’s first in 1,350 days(more than three years).

Grossmont scored approximately 10 points over all four quarters, staying close to the Bobcats.

Making progress for the Griffins was guard/forward Janea Wilson, a 5-foot-11 swing player out of Steele Canyon. The frosh led the ballclub with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Meanwhile, almost every starter registered an assist, including three by guard Sterling Edwards (Canyon Hills).

Saddleback center Aleksia Gadea proved difficult to stop with a game-best 18 points, gaining half of her scoring from the foul line. She also posted seven assists to pace both ballclubs.

Meanwhile, Brianna Ruelas ranked secondwith 16 points and five assists.

Grossmont continues a diffcult preseason schedule by facing a series of clubs from the original South COast Conference – the circuit where the Griffins originally played (1978-83).

The G-House will first host Fullerton on Friday (Nov. 3) at noon, then will face former SCC rivals Cerritos, Santa Ana and College of the Desert (which only played the SCC for one season in 1980) over the ensuing two weeks.

PCAC Roundup

Elsewhere in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference:

— Southwestern at West L.A. was cancelled.

— Cuyamaca is not scheduled to open its season until Nov. 17, hitting the road to meet Palo Verde College in Blythe, Calif. However, Palo Verde did open its season on Thursday, falling at Pasadena, 76-64, at historic HP Gymnasium.

— Imperial Valley shocked host Santa Monica, 66-48. Forty yeasrs ago, IVC did not field a women’s basketball team while the Corsairs were two-time Southern California champions. In fact, they went 65-1 (61-5 with forfeits) for a 2-year span, with their lone loss coming at San Diego Mesa, 63-62, in 1982).

— Fullerton rallied with 26 points in the fourth period (50 in the second half) to down host San Diego Mesa, 77-72. For Mesa, sophomore guard Kayla Sabri led the Olympians with 14 points.

— Compiled by Nick Pellegrino