Senior Julia Owaidat shot three after three while warming up for the girls’ varsity basketball home opening game against the Global Youth Charter Bulldogs on Dec. 21.
And Owaidat’s warm-up was a preview for the three buzzer-beating 3-pointers the Cavs made in their 46-6 win over the Bulldogs.
The stands were filled with parents and students waiting to see the girls’ first game on the new court.
Coming into the game, the Bulldogs had a record of 1-3 while the Cavs were 2-1.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Cavs tacked on another win, this time in impressive style, dominating and holding the Bulldogs to 6 points.
Before the game, assistant coach David Ancrum said the girls would have to rebound and convert on layups.
Despite missing a few open fastbreak layups, the Cavs took a 22-0 lead. It wasn’t until there were 35 seconds left in the first quarter that Global Youth scored off a layup.
But Owaidat answered with a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to end the quarter up, 25-2.
Looking to strike back, the Bulldogs worked the ball inside, resulting in a foul from the Cavs. The Bulldogs converted and made one free throw, closing the gap.
The Cavs stepped up their defense and didn’t allow Global Youth to score for the rest of the quarter.
Once again, Owaidat found herself with the ball with time winding down.
“We go at the nickel,” Ancrum shouted.
With five seconds left, Owaidat pulled up and sank a deep three, giving the Cavs a 33-3 lead.
Going into the third quarter, the Cavs stepped up their defense, not allowing the Bulldogs to score a single point.
And as the quarter went on, the Cavs increased their lead.
The Cavs followed their trend of 3-point buzzer beaters once again in the third quarter.
This time it was sophomore Katia Dahmani’s turn. Dahmani sank the three and was fouled. But she couldn’t convert the 4-point play, and the girls ended the quarter up, 46-3.
In the fourth quarter, the Cavs stopped taking fast-break opportunities and worked more on passing the ball in a halfcourt set. The Cavs didn’t score in the fourth quarter but allowed the Bulldogs to score on a layup and free throw.
Sophomore Yasmin Gupta led the team with 22 points.
After the game, stand-in coach Latonia Pitts said the girls played well because of good ball movement.
“We passed the ball well on offense and kicked the ball up in transition,”she said.
The girls’ next game will be Tuesday, Jan. 5, away at Sacramento Adventist Academy at 6 p.m.
—By Jake Longoria
