Cougars go back-to-back for victories

By David Dickens
Updated: January 28, 2018

Steele Canyon guard Elizabeth Bott had the ball against Foothills Christian's Makayla Brown.

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON (1-27-2018) – Playing back to back games in under 24 hours is a tall order in itself, but winning back-to-back contests in that short window of time is another story.

Saturday night, the Steele Canyon Lady Cougars accomplished that goal defeating the Foothills Christian Lady Knights, 46-28, at Cuyamaca College.

After defeating the Valhalla Lady Norsemen Friday night, 48-30, the Lady Cougars played the first quarter a bit sluggish to start offensively, as both the Lady Knights and Steele Canyon had struggles scoring, as the total points scored in the first 8 minutes combined was 13, with Steele Canyon up 9-4.

Senior ELIZABETH BOTT contributed 6 of the 9 points in the first quarter.

The tale of two quarters definitely came into play with not only the scoring differential, but Foothills Christian leading scorer and team captain, ELLIE TURK, contributed 4 fouls early in the first half, and was forced to the bench to preserve her for the second half, as she scored a 3-point bucket before heading to the bench.

That three points would be all the Lady Knights would put up in the second quarter, in comparison to the 19 the Lady Cougars would add to their bucket list in the second quarter.

Steele Canyon assistant coach PAULA BOTT discusses strategy with the Cougars.

The Steele defense was elite at the boards, as well, holding the Lady Knights scoreless after Turk’s exit to the bench temporarily.

Several rebounds were grabbed by Lady Cougar LAYLA WADLEY, who 8 of the 19 points scored in the second quarter.

The Lady Cougars led 28-7 at the half.

Low and behold, as sophomore Turk returned to the floor after the half, she scored 8 of the 16 total points scored against the Lady Cougar defense in the third quarter.

The Lady Knights were not ready to etch a loss in their column just quite yet.

With the score 33-9 Lady Cougars, the Knights went on a 12-0 run, bringing a possible comeback within striking distance, with the score now 33-21.

With 4 min left to play, the Lady Knights played tough, with the last attempt at a comeback including a 3-pointer by Turk and a 2-point bucket by CHRISTIE SARKIS, to close it to 40-28

Steele, as the final score ended with a 6-0 run on behalf of the Lady Cougars, won with a 46-28 final to continue the Lady Cougar winning streak at 3 in-a-row and improving to 10-6.

However, Foothills Christian is falling to 8-10 on the season

Bott had 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals to go along with 11 total points, while LAYLA WADLEY had 14 total points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 5 steals.

SC’s MAHKAYLA CLINE had 14 total points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

The Lady Cougars will face the Monte Vista Monarchs (10-6, 2-1 GVL), in a league game at Steele Canyon, on Tuesday, January 30 at 6 pm.

The Foothills Christian Lady Knights will face Escondido Charter (10-7, 4-0) in a league game at Foothills Christian, Wednesday, January 31 st at 6 pm.

HELIX 51, LINCOLN 49 – Helix improved to 15-5 overall by edging the Hornets in a non-league contest at home on Saturday night.