Sami has time for more in double OT

By Ramon Scott
Updated: April 28, 2021

Monte Vista junior Sami Gonzalez.

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – The Granite Hills Eagles gave the 11th-ranked Monte Vista Monarchs all they could handle and then some… and then some more, on Tuesday night.

But it was Sami Gonzalez’s night to remember.

The Monarchs eventually prevailed in the Grossmont Conference non-league contest, 73-68 in double-overtime, as Gonzalez, a Monte Vista junior, knocked down two three-pointers in the second overtime to finish with 36 points, including 10 in the last OT.

Gonzalez made six three-pointers on the evening but just as impressive was her perfect 14-for-14 effort at the foul line, one of the best foul-shooting performances in Grossmont Conference history.

“My coaches push me to be a great player,” Gonzalez said. “Scoring 36 points feels amazing. The coaches really push me hard and we put in the extra work and it paid off tonight.”

The Monarchs were 20-of-24 from the stripe for the night, while the Eagles went just 12-of-29 from the line.

Gonzalez and Micyaah Flournoy both had a pair of threes in the first quarter, then they both hit another triple in the second quarter, as Monte Vista appeared to have decent control of the game.

“We thought we had it but we let them get close,” Gonzalez said. “We kept our heads in the game.”

Monte Vista led 18-7 after one quarter and took a 34-25 lead into halftime.

The Monarchs still held an eight-point lead after three, but the Eagles outscored Monte Vista, 17-9, in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.

“Granite was definitely the taller and bigger team,” said Monte Vista’s Saniya Raley. “We got hurt with their second chance putbacks. Samantha came up clutch but so did our strong bench after we had a couple of players foul out.”

Fonivictoria Pitia and Anne Moskus both had seven points in the fourth quarter for the Eagles, who also turned up the defense.

That defensive intensity continued for the first three-minute session, as both teams scored just four points.

Pitia and Moskus both finished with 17 points for the Eagles. Moskus had a three-pointer in the fourth.

Sophomore Kyla Harris had a three for the Eagles in the second overtime and finished with 15 points.

Flournoy had 17 points for Monte Vista, canning five threes on the night. She left the game, however, after going after a loose ball.

“I was feeling it tonight and was getting some good passes that allowed me to be open for my shot,” Flournoy said. “The double-OT shouldn’t have happened but we played hard and didn’t give up.”

Meadow Delino had eight points, including her 4-for-4 contribution at the line.

GROSSMONT 60, LIBERTY 44 – The Foothillers’ Shyann VanKirk scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made four blocks in the win over the Lions.

Grossmont improved to 5-3 on the season.

“I think we are improving each game,” said VanKirk, a junior forward. “We are getting back on track and we are optimistic that come playoff-time, we will be ready. Our focus right now, of course, is winning the league title.”

Ariy’Ana Duke added 12 points and six rebounds for Grossmont

Danica Perez scored 10 points and added three assist for Grossmont.

“We have to continue to improve,” Grossmont head coach Grace Campbell said. “We are still clawing out our way back into basketball shape.”

MOUNT MIGUEL 78, HELIX 18 – The third-ranked Matadors led 13-3 after one quarter but extended the lead to 40-11 by halftime.

Jennifer Moreno scored 20 points, made eight steals, and had seven assists. She made a pair of threes.

Nataly Bravo, of Mount Miguel, had 15 points, including a three-pointer.

Danay Williams-Pope had 13 points, eight rebounds, and five steals for Mount Miguel.

Zanna Hurst scored 11 points for Las Matadoras, including a trio of three-pointers.

Jacquee Brown and Ixchel Rojo also had a three-pointer each for the Matadors.

Mount Miguel will host fourth-ranked Cathedral Catholic on Wednesday evening in a huge county matchup.

SANTANA at WEST HILLS – The Sultans trailed 44-27 with 3:29 left in the game, but no final score was reported.