Community Colleges: Week of Feb. 22; Hoops take playoff opener

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: February 26, 2025

COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESULTS
Week of Feb. 22-Mar. 1

East County Sports.com

Women’s Basketball

3C2A State Playoffs – First Round
Wed., Feb. 26
Grossmont College 71, L.A. Trade-Tech 60 BOXSCORE
San Diego Mesa 62, Cuesta 45
Santa Barbara 57, Imperial 52 BOXSCORE
Bye – Palomar

Grossmont College 71, L.A. Trade-Tech 60

FLETCHER HILLS – The one-two scoing pumch of
Anayla Anderson and d Kla Palpallatoc powered Grossmont College, especially in the second quarter, leading the Griffins to a 71-60 triumph over L.A. Trade-Tech in Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) opening round of the 3C2A state basketball championships.

Anderson tallied seven of her game-best 23 points in the second period, but Palpallatoc gained 9 of her 12 points in the period, when the Giffins (23-5 overall) took the lead fr keeps.

L.A.Traxde-Tech burst to an early 21-10 lead before Grossmont trimmed the deficit with a late 8-point run to clos the opening 8 minutes.

Moments late, a 3-point bucket by Palpallatoc moved the host to a 29-27 lead, with the margin growing into double fn ones by the interrmission on a 29-8 scoring spree.

Once Grossmont moved in front, every one seemed to contribut.

Kiya Waters posted up to svore from inside the paint, Anderson nailed a 3-point shot, then Waters again got openn inside to score four of her p[poinys and give the Griffins a 37-29 advantage.

Another short jumped bhy Anderson at the buzzer gave the G-House a 16-2 run to close the half with a 39-29 advantage.

For the contest, Janea Wilson matched Palpallatoc with 12 points, but her job was to preventsecond-half chances by the Lady Techsters (officially the Beavers), gaining 13 of her 16 rebounds on the defensive glass.

Wilson’s 16 boards also matched a career-best, first set against Cuyamaca.

Grossmont, the No. 10 seed, advanced to a second round contyest at No. 7 Mt. San Jacinto (24-4) on Saturday (March 1). The Eagles are the Inland Empire Conference champions.

Check the Grossmont College Athletics website for game location information . The contest could be held at the original MtSJC gymnasium in Hemet, or the new facility in Menifee.

Baseball

Wed., Feb. 26
San Diego Mesa 11, Saddleback 7

Tue., Feb. 25
Saddleback 11, at Palomar 8
Southwestern 11, at Fullerton 9

Mon., Mar. 22
Grossmont College 7, Riverside 6 BOXSCORE
San Diego City 7, at Mt. San Jacinto 5

FLETCHR HILLS – In the span of two weeks, Grossmont College recorded walk-0ff, game winners against some of the top ballclubs in Southwern alifornia.

On Monday (Feb, 22), the Griffins (8-4 overall overall) turned the trick on visiting Riverside City College, scoting twice in the bottom of the nine innings to tame the Tiger, 7-6. (READ MORE HERE by RCC).

Third baseman Nico Newhan capped a 3-RBI performance with a game-tying single, then shortstop Logan Aguilar followed with aq walk-off, RBI basehit. Both layers finished with two hits and a run scored to help the Griffins rally from a late 6-4 deficit.

Newhan and Noah Libed smacked home runs for the G-House.

Pitching in relief, Xavier Franco garnered the victory. Franco now leads all Southland pitchers with as 3-0 record.

Men’s Basketball

3C2A State Playoffs – First Round
Wed., Feb. 26
Southwestern at Santa Monica, 6 p.m.
Compton at MiraCosta, 6 p.m.
Palomar at San Bernardino Valley, 6 p.m.