Matadors Live4Gen, then win for Gen

By John Duran
Updated: January 12, 2019

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

MOUNT MIGUEL 74, GROSSMONT 41

By John Duran

EastCountySports.com

SPRING VALLEY – The Mount Miguel Matadors did more than play basketball Friday night. It was the annual Live4Gen game where the Matadors honored their fallen former player Genevieve Costello.

Wearing their pink uniforms, Mount Miguel raised money for breast cancer awareness, the cancer that took Costello at the age of 26.

Jerica Williams, Mount Miguel assistant coach and former teammate of Costello, gave an emotional speech before tip-off, speaking highly of the great Matador.

“She taught us how to compete. She taught us how to fight. And she taught us how to win. And she may not be here to tell you herself but we will. We will continue to tell the world why she was and always will be a champion,” Williams said of Costello, followed by a moment of silence.

The Matadors would go on to defeat Grossmont, 74-41, in the Grossmont Hills League game. They were led by sophomore Sylena Peterson and senior Tiaja Bennett. Peterson finished with 17 points while Bennett had 16.

Bennet, who had one of her best offensive performances of the season, played inspired.

“I played for Genevieve today,” Bennett said. “I did it all for Genevieve because it was her day and I was wearing her uniform and I wanted to represent her.”

Bennett also had three rebounds, one assist, and a game high nine steals.

Mount Miguel improved to 15-4, 2-0 in league.

Grossmont was led by Sarah Henry, who scored 17 points, but the Foothillers fell to 13-4, and 1-1 in the Grossmont Hills League.

EastCountySports.com