Photo by Kent Robinson
SOUTH COUNTY — A 19-4 third quarter run by Soledad High changed the momentum of a close game against King City and earned the visiting Aztecs a 59-42 victory.
The win helped Soledad stay in a first place tie with the defending Mission Trail Athletic League champion Robert Louis Stevenson Pirates, at 3-0.
“I think the girls are finally seeing the big picture,” said Soledad head coach Tatiana Rodriguez. “We have big games coming up for us this week.”
Soledad had three girls score in double figures against King City and were led by Jacky Saldana’s double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Also scoring in double figures for the Aztecs were: Theresa Chavez with 11 points and Xenia Suarez with 11 points. Daisy Bugarin just missed a double-double, scoring nine points and grabbing 17 rebounds.
Adding points for Soledad were Denise Virgen (five points); Desiree Mexicano (five points); and Olivia Fale (two points).
For King City Alyssa Richardson led in scoring with 15 points, and added three rebounds and two assists. Delaney Carroll nearly had a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds and filled her stat sheet with three assists and came up with three steals. Megan Flores had a strong game with seven points, 14 boards, and two assists, and Lucy Cabrera added six points and four rebounds.
“We lost to a good Soledad team,” said King City head coach Frank Padilla. “We played a good half but when you play a good team you need to play four quarters of good basketball. The third quarter was the turning point. Soledad went to a press and we didn’t handle it very good.”
Two nights later the Lady Mustangs got back on the winning track with a 41-31 win at Pacific Grove. King City built a 24-11 halftime time on their way to the second MTAL win of the season.
Carroll had one her best game of the league season with 22 points, seven rebounds, four 3-point baskets, and six steals. Flores scored 16 points with 19 rebounds and Nancy Andrade contributed with five points, five rebounds, and four assists. Richardson added four points and handed out four assists.
“PG was a very physical game,” said Padilla. “Our girls handled themselves well. We built a big first quarter lead and made them play catch up. We were down to seven girls due to a sickness and an injury.”
The Lady Mustangs are 5-7 overall and 2-1 in the MTAL with a home game today with league rival Gonzales and an away game on Friday in Monterey against Santa Catalina.
Soledad won its second game of the week, downing the visiting Carmel Padres by a 53-48 score.
With the win the Aztecs improved to 3-0 in league and 7-4 overall. Saldana led Soledad with 22 points and 10 rebounds and Daisy Bugarin joined her with a double-double, scoring 12 points and finishing with 10 rebounds.
Suarez scored 11 points, Chavez had five, Mexicano had two points, and Fale scored two points.
The Aztecs have a showdown tonight in Pebble Beach against Robert Louis Stevenson Pirates (3-0 league, 7-4 overall).
