De Leon, Monarchs steal another win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: May 9, 2021

Monte Vista sophomore Angelina De Leon / Dave Dickens

EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

MONTE VISTA 59, EL CAJON VALLEY 45

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – Monte Vista High sophomore Lina De Leon scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half to help Monte Vista defeat visiting El Cajon Valley, 59-45, on Friday night.

De Leon, however, was just as valuable to her team on the defensive end of the court, as she is every game.

However, when the Monarchs needed her offense against the Braves, she was able to show out there, too.

De Leon made a pair of three-pointers in the game, but she wasn’t done contributing there.

The steady star grabbed 17 rebounds and recorded nine steals.

Sami Gonzalez added 20 points, including three three-pointers, with two of the treys coming in the first quarter. She also recorded four assists and a team-high 10 of the Monarchs’ reported 38 steals.

To put that in perspective, Monte Vista recorded an average of more than one steal every minute of the game.

Meadow Delino had eight steals for Monte Vista, which led by just a 26-20 count with four and a-half minutes left in the third quarter.

Micyaah Flournoy and Veronica Barka both made a three for the Monarchs, as well.

Monte Vista improved to 2-1 in Grossmont Hills League play, while moving to 11-3 overall. It was the Monarchs’ third-straight win.

Senior Silvia Aboud led the Braves with 14 points, including three three-pointers. she also grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Sophomore Ciara McCray stepped up with 12 points for ECV. She knocked down a couple of treys, as well.

Sophomore Ruth Taulanga also had 12 points, 14 rebounds, three blocked shots, and three assists for El Cajon Valley.

El Cajon Valley fell to 4-8 overall, 0-2 in the GVL.