Mountie sports recap: Nov. 30-Dec. 3

Scores and results of last week’s games

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Sophomore center Matthew Brown (45) is swarmed by three defenders and still secures the rebound for the Mounties. (via davessportsimage)

The fall semester is coming to a close. For some athletes, after semesters of dedication, desire and discipline to their craft, this will be the last time they suit up in the Mountie maroon to represent their family and campus.

For those that were able to capture a conference championship, congratulations, and to those continuing the winning tradition and etching your names into history, cheers.

With plenty of non-conference action, let’s get you caught up on all the action from last week.

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Men’s basketball

The Mounties have hit a lull after winning the Skip Robinson Classic, losing two straight non-conference home games including one to the visiting Southwestern Cougars, 78-59.

The Cougars came out the gates firing and jumped out to an 11-point, 19-8, lead on the home team. Trailing 36-34 at the half, the Mounties could not keep up with the Cougars offensive output being outscored in the second half by 17 points, 42-25, respectively.

With a last gasp, the Mounties cut a 12-point, 54-42, second half lead to a 54-54 tie with a 12-0 unanswered run.

Freshman guard Nick Hopkins (10) led the team in scoring, posting 21 points on 7-9 shooting from the field, 7-11 from the freethrow line and seven rebounds. Hopkins scored 16 of his 21 team-high points in the first half.

Sophomore guard Jay Milner (5) also tallied double-digit points, adding 16 points on 5-16 from the field, shooting 100% from the charity stripe, 5-5, along with five rebounds and three steals. Sophomore center Matthew Brown (45) led the team in rebounding and blocks with eight and three respectively.

Thursday, Dec. 1

Women’s basketball

The Mounties hit the road to Visalia, California, for the first of three games hosted by the College of Sequoia. In their opening game, the Mounties matched up against the San Joaquin Delta Mustangs and lost, 76-59.

After trailing 20-10 at the end of the first quarter, the Mounties would cut the lead to single digits multiple times, 41-34 and 49-40. But turnovers would be the story of the game. The Mounties lost the turnover battle, 26-21, which led to the Mustangs scoring 25 points off turnovers opposed to the Mounties’ 14 points off turnovers.

Sophomore guard Kamesha Moore (14) led the Mounties in scoring with 17 points on 50% shooting from the field while making all three of her free throws and pulled in eight rebounds. Moore was the only Mountie to reach double-digit scoring in this contest.

Freshmen guards Dailani Richardson (11) and Carley Bolden (22) led the reserves combining for 16 points, six rebounds and four steals, mirroring each others’ stats except for steals, Bolden with three and Richardson with one respectively.

Friday, Dec. 2

Women’s basketball

In their second of three College of Sequoia hosted games, the Mounties were matched up against the Los Angeles Valley Monarchs.

Though it was a tightly contested game through the first three quarters, the Mounties came out of the fourth quarter on a mission.

After the Monarchs tied the game up at 39-39 early in the fourth, the Mounties poured it on offensively and outscored their opponents 22-9.

When sophomore guard Kamesha Moore (14) converted a layup off the assist from freshman guard Carly Bolden (22), the Mounties finally built a 56-46 lead. It effectively ended the game for the Monarchs.

Three Mounties tallied double-digits in scoring. Moore led the way with 18 points and 14 rebounds, freshman guard Delani Richardson (11) adding 15 points while shooting 100% from the free throw line and sophomore guard Briana Lizardi (32) chipping in with 13 points on 5-6 shooting from the charity stripe.

Men’s basketball

Freshman point guard Micah Myricks (1) scanning the floor to find an open teammate in transition for an easy bucket. (via davessportsimage)

The Mounties’ drought continued as the team suffered its third consecutive loss after winning the Skip Robinson Classic on Nov. 19, this time in a 75-52 loss to the Chaffey Panthers. During this slump, the Mounties have lost by an average margin of 20.3 points.

Sophomore guard Jay Milner (5) led the Mounties in scoring with 11 points. Milner was the only Mountie to crack the double-digit mark on the stat sheet and added four rebounds and a steal. The sophomore guard has recorded double-digits in scoring in eight of nine games this season. His only single-digit performance was against the Santiago Canyon Hawks on Nov. 23, where he scored eight points.

Though the Mounties out rebounded the Hawks, 41-36, the Mounties were outplayed in every other statistic on the stat sheet.

The Panthers first half lead was cut from 20 points to 13 points thanks to two consecutive 3-pointers made by Milner and freshman guard Nick Hopkins (10). Once the game resumed, the Hawks extended the lead back up to 20 and never looked back.

The Mounties continue their non-conference action as they hit the road to take on the Irvine Valley Lasers on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m.

Men’s soccer

On a streak that can only be matched by the late great Bill Russell, the Mounties have advanced to the CCCAA State Championship for the 11th time in 13 years.

The No.2 South Seed and reigning defending state champ Mounties edged out the No. 1 North Seed Taft Cougies, 1-0.

Sophomore forward Andrew Vazquez (14) recorded the game’s only score before the first half ended, bringing his playoff goal totals this tournament to two. Sophomore goalie Jacob Cardenas (1) notched his 11th win on the season and seventh shutout overall while adding three saves.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Wrestling

Congratulations to the men’s wrestling team on capturing back-to-back CCCAA championships. On to the state championship tournament.

East Los Angeles College hosted the CCCAA Southern Region Championships. They came into the season as the defending champs. And remain the champs.

As a team, they collected a cumulative score of 295 points with second place Cerritos Falcons who tallied 268 points.

Four Mounties posted first place finishes led by sophomore captain Billy Looney (149 lbs.), sophomore David Saenz (135 lbs.), freshman Chris Calderon (125 lbs.) and freshman Jakob Hand (184 lbs.).

Second place finishes include sophomore Chris Betancourt (125 lbs.), sophomore Nate Kendricks (197 lbs.) and freshman Marcus Labato (154 lbs.).

Sophomores Jason Valencia (141 lbs.) and Jesse Garcia (285 lbs.) turned in third place finishes as well.

Assistant coach Chris Mecate left this sentiment with the team saying, “Our guys wrestled extremely hard and were able to get falls which allowed us to secure the tournament title. We qualified all twelve of our guys to the state championships which I’m very proud of them for. I’m looking forward to the state championships and seeing our guys go out there and compete at their maximum abilities and score a lot of points.”

Looney is hungry for a state championship. Though it is a great accomplishment, he and the team believe there is a bigger prize to be had.

When asked about the accomplishment Looney said, “It’s great that we won [conference] but we’re not done just yet.”

Simply put, “One more step.”

Next step, West Hills College in Lemoore. The site of the CCCAA State Championships.

Women’s basketball

Day 3 of College of Sequoia hosted games. The Mounties defeated the Canyon Cougars, 69-57.

With a 36-31 halftime lead, the Mounties exploded in the third quarter with a 17-4 run that expanded the Mountie lead to 53-35. Behind an 18-point lead, the Mounties put it in cruise control and never looked back.

Four of the five starters for the Mounties tallied double-digit points led by sophomore guard Briana Lizardi (32) with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds while making 60% of her shots.

Sophomore guard Kamesha Moore (14) added a double-double of her own with 15 points, 10 assists and seven steals on 7-16 shooting from the floor. Sophomore guard Elle Yick (24) and freshman guard Delani Richardson (11) each contributed with 12 points in 30 minutes of action.

The Mounties hit the road for the LA Valley Tournament beginning on Dec. 8, where they will kickstart their three-day run against the Cypress Chargers.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Men’s soccer

The Mounties huddle up before the game begins. (Christie Yeung)

With a chance to repeat on the line, the No.2 South Seed and reigning defending state champ Mounties faced off against the Oxnard Condors in the CCCAA Championship game.

Two yellow cards were handed out in the first half. One for each team. Sophomore forward Edward Castro (11) was issued one only nine minutes into the game. The later one was issued to the Condors’ freshman forward Andy Cruz (11).

The Condors struck first with an unassisted goal. 1-0 Condors. Unphased, with seconds left before the half, sophomore midfielder Alex Mendez (10) tied the contest at 1-1 from a penatly kick, bringing his season totals to 16 goals and 13 assists.

With the championship just within a grasp, the Mounties surrendered a goal at the 85th minute. The Condors led 2-1. Though the Condors committed two fouls in less than three minutes, the Mounties were unable to convert on the opportunities and did not attempt another shot.

Though the Mounties lost, it was an impressive feat to accomplish. Programs like Taft have only experienced the feeling of hoisting the CCCAA Championship trophy once.

Making or winning the state championship in 11 of the last 13 years is almost unheard of and unmatched.

For the Mounties to have a run lasting over a decade with that sustained championship success, it is safe to say that the winning tradition at Mt. SAC will carry on for the men’s soccer team for years to come.