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GHL Hoops: El Cap turns (to) the Paige
- Updated: January 31, 2024
2023-24 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
ECS staff report
LAKESIDE — The 23-year reign of Mount Miguel girls basketball is over. The new champion is now: still undecided.
El Capitan, sitting second or third in the Grossmont Hills League throughout the season, threw its hat into the ring by edging Helix, 47-44, Tuesday (Jan. 30) at Foster Gymnasium.
Although it has happened in other leagues elsewhere in the CIF San Diego Section, should the current three-way tie be retained in the GHL, it would be a first in Grossmont Conference play (which dates back to 1961).
The Vaqueros were able to turn the page be turning junior center Paige Worthem, who scored 10 points, while Keira Heinracy posted a team-best 20, t it was the team’s defense which proved to be the difference.
‘It’s always really special and important when you pull out a win as big as this one, especially on senior night, especially with so mu ch at stake,” said Worthem. “We got the ball inside and went to work on offense.”
We also created so many stops on defense. We just worked really hard and cohesively as a team, qhich was really nice to feel.”
El Capitan (16-9 overall, 5-2 GHL) needed its effort to shine on defense down to the game’s final possession, when Helix still held an opportunity to force overtime.
However, a full court press, used for a rare time, slowed down the Highlanders and prevented an easy 3-point shot, with Helix eventully turning the ball over on a pass out-of-bounds instead of releasing a shot with 1.2 seconds remaining.
“When thjngs got hard, we held together and stayed patient with the ball,” added Worthem. “That was really nice to feel.”
“From the very first posssio, we were so calmand oised.”
Coupled with Groaamont’s triumph over defending champion Mount Miguel, there is now a 3-way deadlock for first. However, El Capitan and Grossmont still hold one additional heah-on meeting giving Helix the slight inside opportunity to gain at least a co-title by facing the borrom trop to close the schedule.
Over the past decade when Mount Miguel was the GHLleader, Helix was the lone conference opponent to at least gain a tie for the title, but that was back in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
What will it take for El Capitan to avenge its earlier loss to Grossmont? The contest is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 6, in Fletcher Hills.
“We know that defensively, we will always make it tough to score — it’s offense where we have to e more consistent and create for each other,” added Worthem.
Quotes
Emily Sample, El Capitan (via text message)
“Tonight was an all around team effort we really put the team together and shared the ball very well. In the offensive end we had high percentage shots being taken and had outstanding ball movement it felt like Helix could never catch up to us. We had such aggressive defense that we created stops back to back giving us multiple leads in the game. All of our players played such an important role weather it was on the offensive end defensive end or even the bench. This game truly could not have been won without every player. The feeling to beat a rival on senior night in our home court is unmatched and I can’t wait to make more memories like the ones made tonight”.
Keira Heinricy, El Capitan (via text message)
“Tonight I think we played with consistence energy and heart, and that’s why we came out with the win. We’ve been all working for this moment and opportunity since we were little. We’ve gone into every league game with the mindset “We Will”. No other team I’d rather be apart of. Our group is special.”
Amaya Tone, El Capitan (via text message)
“Tonight was amazing. Even though there were rough parts of the game, we all as a team banded together to get the win. The saying we stick by is We Will, and tonight we made sure that we did together. This was an amazing and memorable senior night and I’m so grateful for all my teammates, coaches, and the fans who come to cheer us on. The win wasn’t just because of us on the court, it also came from everyone around us.”
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