Scotties seek more than just 58

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: February 14, 2024

2023-24 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
CIF-San Diego Section Championships

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

LA MESA — There was much fuss surrounding the scoring ecxploits of Mount Miguel freshman Jaylene Highes, who capped the regular season last Friday (Feb. 9) with a record-tying 58 point effort.

The mark equalledby Hughes her own single-game standard while establishing a new mark in a Grossmont Conference contest.

However, even though Hughes set her mark against Grossmont Hills League co-champion Helix, the Highlanders frankly didn’t care. They were concerned about something much more important.

On Tuesday (Feb. 13), Helix took its first step to a new purpose — winning a CIF San Diego Section title– by skating past Otay Ranch, 63-33, in the opening round of the CIFSDS Division II girls basketball championships.

Valerie Marquez powered Helix with 23 points, while Jordan Lindsey tallied seven of her 9 points in the first period to jump-start Helix to a double-digit lead in the opening minutes. Both are seniors.

In order for the Scotties to eliminate Otay Ranch, they grabbed more offensive rebounds than the Mustangs did in defensive rebounds. The series of inside shots allowed ther host to mount a 28-14 halftime lead.

Next up for the Scotties is where their attention has been looking forward to over the past week: going to top-seeded Francis Parker in the quarterfinals in seeking their 20th win of the season.

Helix (19-7 overall), which shared the Grossmont Hills Leaguer crown with Grossmont following 23 seasons of dominance by Mount Miguel, will meet a Lancers squad which eliminated Monte Vista, 8-13 in its first-round match.

Parker (17=6 overall) only fell by four point toNo. 1 La Jolla Country Day last week, ye Helix may possessan advantage.

Elsewhere

GRANITE HILLS 39, STEELE CANYON 31 — In one of the few upsets in any divisions in Tuesday’s (Jan. 13) first round, the Granite Hills Eagles utilized a stellar defensive effort to topple Steele Canyon.

The Cougars were held to just six points in the sewcond quarter to trail at the half, then only scored a 3-point basket in the fourth uarter to prevent a comeback.

The Eagles (10-11 overall) also avenged a 52-40 setbackto the Cougars fromlast December.

Steele Canyon (20-9) had been co-champs with West Hills in the Grossmont Vsallry League.

Otherscores: West Hills 52, El Centro-Central 43; El Capitan 62,
Pacific Ridge 35; Valhalla 46, Tri-Vity Christian 27; Sage Creek 52, Patrick Henry 25; and Cathderal Catholic df. Mount Miguel.

Foothills Christian did not report.

Hughes heist

SPRING VALLEY — Including an East County mark of 10 three-point shots, Mount Miguel freshman Jaylene Highes closed the regular season last Friday with a 58-point effort against Helix.

The 58 poinds equaled the East County record and set a new Grossmont Conference mark. Earlier in the season, Hughes first scored 58 points against Maranatha Christian.

Hughes said:

“I just wanted t finish strong because it was our last league game and have some fun with my team. My shots started falling, so I just continued to play hard. “

Head coach Jason Hughes:

“I just told my grls to give their all for the final league game at home. It was pretty intense. wityh botyh sides putting up a great fight. Jay;een had a great shooting night her her 10 threes.”