- Stars win opener at NBC World Series
- ROUND UP: Wolf Pack Take Down Eastlake
- Woodland’s Gem Propels Helix
- Patriots out-slug Vaqs to claim opener
- Rain Doesn’t Stop Wolf Pack
- Gallery: Boys Hoops – Week 10
- Vaqs continue qinning ways In tight contest
- VALLEY: Sultans finish undefeated season
- It takes the Pack to sweep Scotties
- Mujica & Co. keep rolling, win convincingly
- Singer retires again from coaching
- DIII: Southwest Eagles soar to championship
- 2018 EAST COUNTY SOFTBALL Schedule / Scores / Standings
- DV: LIONS ROAR TO CHAMPIONSHIP
- Williams, Vaqueros sweep into D3 final
- D2: After walk-off thrill, Sultans slump
- DII: SULTANS HAVE MADDY, MADDY, MAD POWER IN PLAYOFF WIN
- DIII: Vaqueros end Scotties’ upset run
- CIF OPEN DIVISION: SCRIPPS RANCH ROLLS EAGLES
- OPEN DIVISION: EAGLES RALLY TO STUN COUGARS
PATRIOTS ON TO CHAMPIONSHIP AS VAQUEROS DREAM ENDS
- Updated: March 1, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON (2-28-2018) – A pregame interview with Christian High Lady Patriots coach VICKIE CARRINGTON set the stage for a dominating performance on the court, not to mention coach Carrington’s nieces opening the game with a spectacular rendition of the National Anthem.
The Lady Patriots (21-9) were definitely on a mission Wednesday evening to prove they were a top-seeded squad that fought hard all season and have a phenomenal coach in former Horizon coach Carrington.
With a great work ethic, practicing even during halftime when the Patriots boys were in the locker room, Christian has been resilient all year. And it paid off in 57-24 win over El Capitan in the San Diego CIF Division III semifinals.
Let us not discredit the Pats worthy opponent, the Lady Vaqueros from El Capitan (17-13), winning their league as well, and having a majority of very young players, consisting mainly of freshman, not one senior, and only one junior.
El Capitan and Christan in the San Diego CIF Division III semifinals on Wednesday.
All very capable and even in their losses, the Vaqueros were an extremely competitive, dedicated group of young ladies led by another one of the East County’s best girls basketball head coaches, DARIN CURTIS.
Curtis may be animated but truly cares for his players and his expectations are high.
This group will bounce back next season, and be the team to beat in the Grossmont Conference.
As tip-offf began and you surveyed the crowd, the visiting Lady Vaqueros fans traveled well enough to match the home crowd of the Lady Patriots.
The visitors were silenced by the end of the first half as the Lady Vaqueros were held to a season low of only 6 points as the Christian defense was relentless and the pace of the offense was never able to be contained, when typically the fail safe for El Cap was their defense.
The Lady Patriots game plan of utilizing the speed of play on the court was a success as the Vaquero defense could not come up with an answer down 26-6 at the half.
SERENE WECKBACK was the leading scorer for the Vaqueros in the first half hitting two buckets for 4 points, on a night of a very stingy Christian High defense.
As the second half began the Lady Vaquero faithful fans remained, only to witness another 18 points total.
The Lady Patriots just played an almost flawless game of basketball, as the press led to many blocked or missed shots as a result of the Patriots defense, and once again the speed and athleticism along with the Lady Patriots buying into coach Carrington’s formula for success, the Patriots used their strengths to move on to a final championship game.
Lady 🏀 PATRIOTS move on to the CIF ‘ship for the 🏆 after 57-27 victory over El Capitan!!!! GO CHRISTIAN PATRIOTS!!!! pic.twitter.com/lMmwkO67Pu
— CUSSDPatriots (@CUSSDPatriots) March 1, 2018
As far as a positive look on the Vaqueros scoring, the leading scorers were SERENE WECKBACK and KYLIE MEAD with
9 points a piece total as typical leading scorers JORDAN GRANDY and MACKENZIE CURTIS were held below their averages.
“I think what was different tonight was how nervous we were,” Grandy said. “We knew Christian was was really good and that brought our confidence level down. We wanted to win so badly that we let that thought haunt our minds throughout the game.
“We are only gonna get better next season. If we made it this far playing as a unit for one year, then I am definitely excited for the next few years.”
Christian standout KRISTIN WILLIAMS was 8-of-13 hitting three-pointers.
“We, as a team played a great game,” Williams said. “I feel like everyone contributed. Coach Vickie prepared us very well, told us who to guard and gave us a great scouting report.
Tipoff on Wednesday night at the RAC.
“We moved the ball extremely well and had high expectations for the people coming off the bench. Our defense was
all around great, particularly in the first half.
“I personally wouldn’t have been as effective tonight without my team looking for open players and setting amazing screens. We are proud we will be attending the championship and if it is God’s Will and glory we will win. I play for God and none of our success would be possible without him.”
Carringon guided Horizon Christian to a CIF Division I championship back in 2015 over Mount Miguel, 66-59.
“I’m so very proud of my players and coaches alike,” Carrington said. “Our goal was being committed to preparing properly in order to prevent poor performances, and we are almost there. We have such an amazing group of girls who vary in experience and basketball IQ, but each girl is important to me and to this program.
“Our bench is on fire for one another. Our players are the best, they are unselfish, close knit, highly competitive and a very beautiful group of girls. I am really in awe of what the Lord is doing and how myself and the boys coach, DAVION
FAMBER, are being used. This is another prayer coming to fruition. We have great kids, parents, support from our school and the administration is unparalleled.”
