Panthers headed to playoffs

With nothing on the line but bragging rights for the Panthers, Porterville High School’s girls basketball team pulled out a 54-49 win over crosstown rival Monache in an “ugly victory” to close out the East Yosemite League season on the Marauders’ court.

“It’s nice to get a win but we didn’t play very well,” PHS head coach Dave Kavern said. “We just struggled all night. Offensively we were two steps off and defensively we were half-a-step slow. It was just one of those nights where we had to battle out but I’d rather have an ugly victory than a pretty loss.”

Unlike their previous 60-35 and 59-45 wins over Monache (13-15, 4-6 EYL), Porterville (24-4, 8-2 EYL) never developed a substantial lead and had the Marauders knocking at their door throughout the whole game.

While Porterville had already clinched second-place in EYL and a spot in the CIF Central Section Division IV playoffs, Monache was sitting just below .500 and needed a win to qualify for the Div. II playoffs despite being ranked No. 8 in the division by Maxpreps.com. From start to finish the must-win attitude was there for the Marauders.

“We had nothing to play for,” Kavern said. “We had second place cinched. I think win or lose we’ll be the No. 3 seed in Division IV. So for us, except for beating your crosstown rival, we had nothing to play for. For Monache, they had everything to play for...they had a lot more to play for then we did and you could sort of tell how we came out.”

Page 2B PHOTO BY

RECORDER CHIEKO HARA Monache High School's Madison Doty, center, battles for the rebound against Porterville High School's Jazlynne Medrano and Trinity Soliz as Cienna Enriquez, left, and Julia Hunter, right, look on Tuesday during the second half at Monache.

Monache High School's Mia Pengilly, left, and Porterville High School's Julia Hunter battle for the loose ball Tuesday, during the first half at Monache.