Caimans upset Monarchs in classic

By Ramon Scott
Updated: June 10, 2021

The Classical Academy Caimans following the win over Monte Vista.

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

CLASSICAL ACADEMY 43, MONTE VISTA 41

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – The Monte Vista Monarchs’ terrific season came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday night as the visiting Classical Academy Caimans escaped with a 43-41 victory in the San Diego CIF Division IV semifinals.

Monte Vista’s Sami Gonzalez scored seven of her 19 points in the fourth quarter, while teammate Meadow Delino had a big three-pointer in the fourth quarter to finish with 12 points.

However, Classical Academy sophomore Jessica York made a three-pointer and the Caimans were good from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, making five free throws.

In all, the Caimans got to the line for 32 attempts in all, making 19.

Junior Faith Brinkman had eight points for Classical, including a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter.

Monte Vista led 16-9 at the end of the first quarter as Micayaah Flournoy and Gonzalez both made three points for the Moanrchs.

The Caimans were down 25-15 at halftime, as Lina De Leon had six points in the first half for Monte Vista.

Third-seeded Classical Academy (16-9) outscored the second-seeded Monarchs, 15-5, in the third quarter.

Monte Vista (17-9) trailed 40-37 with 1:42 left in the fourth quarter.

The Caimans, on a four-game winning streak, will face eighth-seeded Oceanside in the Division IV final at Serra High on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Classical also defeated Mountain Empire and San Ysidro on the way to the finals.

Oceanside (9-15) comes into the game with wins over Granite Hills, top-seeded Maranatha Christian, and Hoover.