Foothillers’ joy ride ends in regional playoff loss at Price

By Bill Dickens
Updated: March 10, 2016

2015-16 PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL – SoCal Regional Playoffs

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com

LOS ANGELES (3-10-16) — It’s been a surprising year for coach GRACE CAMPBELL’s Grossmont Foothillers. They started out by claiming the Grossmont Valley League championship and continued on to capture the Division IV crown of the San Diego Section playoffs, defeating the Crawford Colts 38-31 at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

That set the stage for a trip into uncharted territory for the Foothillers (25-6), who used their first San Diego CIF championship in school history as a springboard into the State Tournament, the highest round of high school basketball in California.

“I didn’t expect the season to go like this,” Campbell said. “I certainly didn’t think we’d go this far.”

Campbell’s crew fell in the first round against host Los Angeles Price 53-43 Wednesday (Mar. 9) to end their season.

“Sure, we’re disappointed with the outcome, but I’m pleased with their performance,” said Campbell, Grossmont’s third year head coach. “The girls trust me. I’m very animated. We’ve tried all year to get the kids to buy into our story, and they have.”

Grossmont fell behind the Knights 29-16 by halftime. The Foothillers picked up the pace in the second half but it was too little, too late.

Senior LYDIA HALCOTT rolled a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds while blocking 2 to lead Grossmont’s offense.

ATHENA SOTELO pitched in 14 points but was unable to make from long distance.

Point guard SYMONE GRIFFITH, who is known for her ball handling, popped in 9 points including a trey as well as recording 4 steals.

TAISHA SILAS was limited to 7 points and one trey as well as 3 rebounds by a focused Price defense.

EMILY BARNES couldn’t help on the scoreboard but she came away with 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

“I’m very proud and so happy this season,” said Campbell. “When I first took over the program three years ago I was told (by Helix coach PAT TABOR) that it would take me three years to build a successful program.”

And so she has.

“We surprised a lot of people this season and I couldn’t ask for more,” she added.

Grossmont: Athena Sotelo 14 (5 reb, 3 ast), Lydia Halcott 13 (10 reb, 2 blk), Symone Griffith 9 (4 stl), Taisha Silas 7 (3 reb), Emily Barnes (8 reb, 2 blk),