The Cooperative girls varsity basketball team moved one step closer to its fourth consecutive championship, and third consecutive undefeated season as it defeated International decisively, 62-8, in a playoff semi-final game played at Cambridge Thursday.
The game was never close, though International played with energy and enthusiasm the entire way, and the Jaguars played a line-up that featured their younger players.
Cooperative executed with precision from the start, taking a 14-2 lead in the first quarter, a period that, from Cooperative’s view was marred only by a well executed back door lay-up by International seventh grader Pamela Hernandez. By half-time the Jaguars were ahead 28-7.
International seemed to be playing the game to build a team for the future, with five seventh graders dressed for the game – virtually the entire starting junior varsity team. The rest of the squad consisted of three eleventh-graders and a ninth grader.
And the seventh graders held up well under the competitive pressure, particularly Hernandez, who scored half of International’s points, Camila Barrientos picked up two more points. Olivia Navarro, who shared with Barrientos the distinction of being the shortest players on the floor, dribbled brilliantly, and stole the ball several times.
Eleventh-grader Natalia Johnson tallied the other International basket.
But the future doesn’t look all that dark for the Jaguars, about half of whose points – 30 to be exact -- were scored by the Varalta sisters, Giovanna and Giuliana. Giovanna, a tenth grader, had 20, many of them on breakaways after she stole the ball from the Griffin offense. Her younger sister, Giuliana, an eighth grader, had ten.
While not figuring as prominently in the scoring, the Jaguars also got solid play from ninth graders Jessica Maureira, who scored a free throw, and Geraldine Lopez. The only senior who played virtually the entire game was Sofia Sotelo, who had nine points. The other senior who played, Carla Limpias, was the high scorer with 22 points, even though she sat out the entire second quarter.
Limpias made her presence felt as soon as she returned to action in the second half, scoring 11 of Cooperative’s 18 third quarter points, and playing a key defensive role in holding International to a single free throw for the rest of the game. Not seeing action was Ana Peredo, who normally forms with Limpias Cooperative’s tall and intimidating “back wall.” Peredo was at the game, but didn’t dress because of an injured toe.
Next Tuesday the Jaguars will play Christian Learning in the championship game at Christian Learning. International will play Cambridge in the consolation game for third place.
Eagles last quarter surge beats Knights, 25-20
By Jose Aldana
The intrepid Cambridge Knights visited Christian Learning Eagles on Thursday determined to battle their way into the championship finals with an upset victory, and for three quarters it looked like they would. However, the Eagles, with the succor of energetic cheers from their home fans, successfully overcame their rivals in a breathtakingly close contest, 25-20.
The determination and devotion displayed by both teams marked the beginning of the game. The Eagles and Knights were constantly hustling for loose balls, following their shots, moving the ball very well, and playing great defense. Innumerable chances to score were generated, but few were concretized into points.
The Eagles, led by Javiera Alípaz and Rebekah Kienzle, successfully scored the first points of the game. The unintimidated Knights remained confident and were soon able to balance out the action. By the end of the quarter, the Eagles and Knights were tied at 6-6.
In the second quarter, the home team continued playing with the same intensity. Eagle superstar, Abby Phillips, confidently took charge of the ball and displayed outstanding dribbling skill. She penetrated the Knights' defense and secured a small lead for the home team.
Seeing the offensive posture adopted by the Eagles, the Knights' coach commanded his players to maintain a strong defense, but also pass the ball more efficiently, and his instructions proved to be immediately effective. The Knights gained momentum and were constantly representing a serious threat to the Eagles' defense.
In the effort of blocking Knights' quick passing, the Eagles committed various fouls entitling the Knights to a series of free throws, which Knight Nicole Fermin exploited. At halftime, Knights led by 9-8.
The Eagles and Knights came out for the second half with the same energy they had displayed throughout the first half making everyone have to work hard for each and every one of their points.
Abby Phillips, decisive as she has been throughout the season, assumed her role of protagonist commanding her teammates to attack. However, the dynamic combination of Nicole Fermin and Josefina Rodriguez enabled the Knights to make a quick recovery.
In the last seconds of the third quarter, Abby Phillips received the ball and quickly moved toward the Knights’ basket, passing every opponent that stood on her way, and scored moments before the buzzer sounded signaling the end of the quarter. A cheer burst into a vibrant celebration as the home team reassumed the lead, 14-13.
The Knights made their presence felt as soon as the fourth quarter got underway. The combination of Nicole Fermin and Rodriguez tormented Eagles' defense once again. They masterfully managed to score valuable free throws, which turned the advantage to the visiting team.
But another phenomenon was at work: Fatigue. The Knights had only five players in uniform for the game. Star Mako Ueno was present, but in street clothes due to an injury. Gradually they were wearing out. “We were tired,” Fermin said after the game, “and it seemed like they kept substituting fresh players a few at a time.”
Encouraged by the cheers from the crowd, in which Cambridge fans were vastly outnumbered in part because most were at the boys varsity game back in their home gym, the Eagles managed to regain control of ball possession. Maria Anderson and Abby Phillips led the Eagles in scoring the ultimate, decisive points.
The Eagles took the lead by 19-17 and never looked back. Working the ball down court with quick passes, while strong defensive work kept the Knights off balance, holding them to three points in the quarter, the Eagles managed to extend their lead. Naomi Canaviri and Emily Ordoñez contributed with two points each, extending the Eagles victory margin to five, 25-20.
Made ecstatic by the spectacle, the crowd cheerfully praised the promotion of the home team to the finals, but also recognized the effort and skill displayed by the Knights, who were never willing to give up and fought to the last second.
The Eagles have a tough challenge as they face the undefeated Jaguars in the awaited championship finals at Christian Learning. Cambridge will play International in the consolation game for third place.
. (Jose Aladana is a junior at Christian Learning and a staff writer for the website.). .
