The Islander Varsity Girls Basketball team played inspired Saturday night against the San Dieguito Academy Mustangs. The Mustangs came into town with a record of 5-4 while Coronado’s season stood at 2-4. The teams were evenly matched with Coronado always having an answer when it appeared San Dieguito would pull away. The first quarter ended with the Mustangs doubling up on the Islanders 12-6.
Early in the second period, Ellie Nixon pulled down a strong rebound, stepped back and sank a short jumper to keep the Islander’s close. The teams traded baskets most of the quarter and when Nixon drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer, the Islanders went into halftime trailing 22-18. In the second half, both teams’ defenses stiffened. Coronado’s Taylor Barker twice foiled fast break points with hustling defense, knocking the ball away from sure lay-ups. Elena Christie pulled down some key rebounds and Alexi Hall made a great steal under the Mustang’s basket.
With 5 minutes remaining, the Islander offense started to click. #4 Taylor Barker banked in a 12 footer off a nifty inbounds play and then came back on the next possession to drain a 3 pointer to pull the Islanders within 3 at 32-29. A minute later, Louisa Valles stroked a 15 footer and Ellie Nixon hit another step back jumper making the score 36-33. In the next to last minute, the Islanders committed 3 successive turnovers against the Mustang’s full court pressure, but the game was far from over.
With 44 seconds left, Sophia Quast hit a 15 footer from the right wing, keeping the game within 3 at 38-35. The Islander trap then forced a turnover and Louisa Valles drove fast down the lane for two; bringing the home team within a point with 11 seconds remaining. The Islanders quickly fouled and when the Mustangs made only one of two free throws, the lady Islanders were off to the races with 8 seconds left. They pushed the ball in low and kicked it out to Nixon who launched a 3 pointer for the win. As the buzzer sounded and the crowd held it’s breath, the bank shot bounced off the rim, ending the exciting contest.
Ellie Nixon led the Islanders in scoring with 11 points, followed by Jenny Lozado with 10 and Taylor Barker added 7. The girls Varsity next play a home conference game against Christian on Tuesday (Jan 12) at 5pm.
