Lions hold line on La Rocque
Sierra Vista’s video from Friday’s game could become a hot commodity.
In the championship game of their own invitational, the Lions did something few other girls basketball teams have been able to accomplish: derail Durango’s explosive offense.
Sierra Vista used an aggressive man-to-man defense to hound and frustrate the Trailblazers in a 56-51 victory.
“We just talked about intensity on defense,” Sierra Vista coach Lindsay Whalen said. “We had five people play really good defense at all times.”
Durango had scored 400 points in the first five games of the tournament, topping 75 in each game, and entered the final averaging 69.2 points this season.
But the Trailblazers were unable to get into an offensive rhythm against the Lions and had particular trouble freeing Stanford-bound Lindy La Rocque for open shots.
The Lions rotated four different defenders on La Rocque, resulting in a 6-for-28 shooting night for the senior. She still managed 28 points, hitting 14 of 19 free throws.
“It was a testament to their character,” said Whalen, whose team was playing its sixth game in 51 hours. “They wanted to win this game badly.”
La Rocque had little offensive help, as no teammate scored more than five points.
“(Sierra Vista) deserves all the credit in the world,” Durango coach John Bartleson said. “They got after us. They played hard. Our team didn’t do anything right.
“There isn’t anything positive I can tell our team after this game.”
Meanwhile, the Lions balanced their offense, with Jeannette Jackson, Jessica Mojica and Danielle Patella taking turns sparking the team.
Patella, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds in a reserve role, put the Lions ahead 52-50 with two free throws with 50.1 seconds to play.
Jackson scored 19 points, including four straight third-quarter baskets, and Mojica added 17.
In Friday’s semifinal games:
• Sierra Vista 54, Needles (Calif.) 51 — Brianna Tolliver broke a 51-51 tie by hitting a free throw with 39.6 seconds to play in overtime.
Jackson had 16 points for the Lions, and Tolliver added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
• Durango 79, Legacy 45 — La Rocque scored 28 of her 31 points in the first half to carry the Trailblazers.
Durango’s Mia Bell and Legacy’s Breana Watkins each scored 20 points.
OTHER GAMES
• Centennial 87, Mojave 51 — At Centennial, Alexis Byrd had 26 points and eight steals to lead the Bulldogs over the Rattlers.
Johnna Brown added 23 points and 14 rebounds for Centennial, which outscored Mojave 30-13 in the third quarter to pull away. Chelsea Hopkins had 34 points for Mojave.
• Pahrump Valley 50, Tech 49 — At Tech, the Roadrunners’ rally from an 11-point deficit fell short as Chalon Reynolds had one foot on the 3-point line when she made a jumper at the final buzzer.
Meagan Meads had 17 points to lead the Trojans. Tech’s Mechel’la Logan scored 21.
• Lynwood (Calif.) 77, Chaparral 26 — At Chaparral, Lynwood sprinted to a 25-3 first-quarter lead and never looked back.
Amanda Mayes had 10 points for Chaparral.
• Mountain View 69, Calvary Chapel 9 — At Calvary Chapel, Ellie Marquardt scored 24 points, including six 3-pointers, to guide the Saints.
Randall Van Kampen added 17 points and nine assists, and Megan Smith had eight points and 16 rebounds.
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