El Capitan leans on defense in win over Merced in Central California Conference opener
The Central California Conference girls basketball championship could be a wide-open race this season.
Atwater has claimed the crown the past two years but the Falcons have been up and down during non-conference play resulted in a 4-10 record coming into CCC play.
That could open the door for El Capitan.
A CCC championship would be the first in school history and that gives the Gauchos plenty of motivation.
El Capitan took its first step toward that goal with a 47-13 victory over Merced on Tuesday night in the CCC opener on Vince Clemons Court at Merced High.
“I think (the CCC) is up for grabs,” said El Capitan coach Tyler Dietz. “I still think Atwater is the gold standard. They’ve got a heck of a program and a heck of a coaching staff.”
“Our school has been opened for 10 years,” Dietz added. “I feel our girls can get the job done, but we’re taking it one game at a time. We’re motivated to get it done.”
The Gauchos are a defensive minded bunch, ready to press for the entire 32 minutes if needed.
That defense was on display against the Bears (8-7 overall), holding Merced scoreless for almost 10 minutes to start the game.
“We’re a defensive team,” Dietz said. “Our defense leads to offense. We have to control the tempo. Tonight was a heck of a defensive game. It was hard to score out there.”
Leading the way for the Gauchos is a pair of seniors in Mya Farr and Chanel Polk.
Farr scored 10 of her game-high 12 points in the second half against the Bears to go along with six steals.
Polk scored nine points on Tuesday, but is averaging over 13 points per game on the season.
“It feels like everything is coming together for us,” Farr said. “We’ve been working hard, many of us for the last three years. If we work hard, play hard and practice hard, we can get it done.”
Senior Emma Ramey, who is one of nine returning players, chipped in with seven points, seven rebounds and five steals.
Dietz says his squad needs a team effort every night. They need to win the hustle plays and fully commit on defense if they are going to contend for a title.
“We have to play with a sense of urgency,” Dietz said. “We have to play every possession like it’s do or die. We’re not a team that passes the eye test. We don’t have any 6-foot-5 girls, but we have the heart of a champion.”
Atwater 51, Patterson 37 — Sophomore Jolie Hart connected on five 3-pointers on her way to gave-high 22 points to lead the Falcons to a win in the CCC opener.
Freshman Saige Harcksen added nine points for Atwater, which improved to 5-10 on the season overall.
Buhach Colony 46, Golden Valley 42 — Thunder sophomore Nikki Alexander-Trevino poured in 24 points to lead BC (7-6, 1-0 CCC) past the Cougars.
Alexander-Trevino drained five 3-pointers.
Amyra Navarrette led the Cougars (9-8, 0-1 CCC) with 20 points and Valentina Moreno added 16 points.
This story was originally published January 3, 2023 at 10:29 PM.
