Atwater High girls open basketball playoffs with statement win over Mountain House
The Atwater High girls basketball team entered the Sac-Joaquin Section with a bit of chip on their shoulder.
The Falcons felt slighted when they were given the No. 6 in the Division II playoffs by the seeding committee.
The only way to show they deserved a better seed is to make a postseason run. The Falcons (23-6) started that run in impressive fashion with a 95-59 victory over No. 11 Mountain House on Wednesday night at Atwater High.
Atwater coach JR Davis felt his players needed a reminder at halftime with the Falcons only ahead by 10 points at intermission.
“His message was, ‘We’ve got to pick it up,’” said junior Karissa Hukill. “We felt we got cheated with our seed. We have to make a point”
The Falcons pulled away with a 30-point third quarter, which started with an 11-0 run as Atwater’s full-court press caused the Mustangs to turn the ball over eight times in the first three minutes of the second half.
Hukill scored the first five points of the third quarter and finished with a game-high 33 points. Hukill helped stake the Falcons to the double-digit lead at the break with 21 first-half points.
Hukill attacked the basket throughout the game.
Hukill’s relentless work ethic has paid off. The Falcons star will often go through a full practice with the team and then stay an extra hour and work out with former Falcons player Lexi Valencia.
“She’s super dialed in right now,” Davis said. “She’s working out with Lexi after practice. She’s highly motivated. She doesn’t want this thing to end.”
The Falcons outscored Mountain House (19-10) 30 to 11 in the third quarter to open up a 73-44 lead.
Atwater had five players finish with 10 points or more. Andrea Sandoval scored 21 points. Cami Gibson, Jolie Hart and Madi Hiler all added 10 points with Gibson also pulling down 10 rebounds to go along with three blocked shots.
Jariah Indalecio led the Mustangs with 26 points.
The Falcons advance the quarterfinals on Friday against No. 3 Christian Brothers, which routed No. 14 Merced 63-11 on Wednesday night.
“I think it’s going to be a good challenge,” Davis said. “We haven’t seen a team like that in a while. They are a lot like us. It should be an exciting game.”
Other area playoff scores:
Girls Basketball
Del Oro 52, El Capitan 44
Capital Christian 63, Merced 11
Boys Basketball
St. Mary’s 67, Atwater 49
Vanden 53, Golden Valley 46
Girls Soccer
Stone Ridge Christian 1, Woodland Christian 0
Hilmar 5, Sonora 3
