Jaguars ride fourth-quarter surge to win
A 19-2 closing run lifted Johnson past East Central 64-47 in a Class 6A first-round girls playoff game Tuesday night at Alamo Heights Gym.
“We didn’t play great defense early on,” Johnson coach Stephanie Desmarais said. “But (we decided) in that fourth quarter, ‘We better give it all we got now.’ ”
The Jaguars (26-9) next will play Vista Ridge (26-8), a 51-37 winner over Bowie on Monday evening.
Sophomore Ava Mitchell made a 3-pointer to start the run. Senior Addison Iden then stole the ball and took it in for a layup.
Senior guard Ja’shelle Johnson made six free throws down the stretch to help ice the game. She led the Jaguars with 25 points.
“I thought she played with a lot of poise tonight,” Desmarais said. “She kind of gathered herself and decided to take different types of shots that weren’t going to get her all the way in there — a little pull-up or minijumper — and to me, that showed her poise.
“She was able to not worry so much about getting a call and just play ball and play for the win. I’m very proud of her.”
Junior Emery Espinoza had 25 for East Central.
After Johnson took a early 10-3 lead, Espinoza’s eight firstquarter points helped tie the game at 12.
Espinoza drilled a jumper in the opening seconds of the second quarter before senior Leilani Prado scored five straight points for East Central, giving the Hornets their first lead of the game.
Espinoza concluded her 17point first half with a step-back 3-pointer in the final minute. But Johnson made a 3-foot jumper as time expired, giving the Jaguars the 33-31 lead at the break.
Johnson scored 12 first-half points.
Espinoza scored the first points of the second half on a 3pointer as East Central built a five-point lead early in the third quarter.
Senior Sydney Colleoni made a 3 to regain the lead for Johnson midway through the third.
Withe Jaguars up four, East Central senior Eliana Sandoval made a 3 from the top of the key to make it a one-point game heading into the fourth quarter.
With the game tied at 45 in the fourth, Johnson went on its big closing run.
“I’m really proud of them,” Desmarais said. “I felt like they executed some really good defensive concepts that we’ve gone over.”
Iden finished with 14 points for Johnson, while Colleoni added 11.