Junior Bella Mathisen (30) blocks the opposing Saints as senior Annya Dahmani (2) goes in for a shot.
The girls’ basketball team looked to take down the Cristo Rey Saints on Jan. 5. They were without leading scorer, senior Yasmin Gupta, due to a knee injury sustained in their previous game against El Dorado Adventist Academy.
The game started with the Cavs’ racking up over 10 fouls in the first half and the Saints accumulating seven.
“Some may have been fouls,” coach Latonia Pitts said. “(But) I think (the refs) were calling a bit much.”
The first half ended with the Cavs leading, 20-15.
In the third quarter, senior Annya Dahmani and sophomore Heidi Johnson carried the offense, accounting for all of the Cavs’ points in the quarter and extending their lead to 38-21.
Despite the lead, the Cavs’ offense sputtered in the fourth quarter, scoring only five points.
“We missed a lot of layups and free throws,” senior Esme Bruce-Romo said.”We also need to make sure everyone knows where they are supposed to be on plays.”
With the Cavs’ sputtering offense, the Saints gained momentum, bringing the score within three points (43) in the final minute.
“We let (the Saints) get close when we really shouldn’t have,” senior Pria Nijhar said.
Nonetheless, the Cavs pulled out the win, 43-40.
“I should have called a timeout earlier to recollect (the team),” coach Lationia Pitts said. “I wanted to save a timeout though.”
The girls next game is against the Highlands Scots on Friday Jan. 9 at home. The game time is to be announced.
—By Bryce Longoria
