KNIGHTS READY FOR LEAGUE PLAY WITH TOURNEY WIN
As if preparing for league play is not a difficult enough assignment, San Marcos High is returning to the Palomar League for girls basketball.
That means the Knights must be in top form in a few weeks when league play begins.
The final push into the Palomar League began Monday when the Knights survived the first outing after 10 days without practice heading into Christmas.
San Marcos nailed 11 3pointers to run away from Sage Creek for a 51-29 victory in the opening round of pool play in the annual SoCal Holiday Classic at Canyon Hills High.
“It was kind of rough at first,” said point guard Leiana Bacho, one of only two seniors on the team. “We have zero room for error in this league.
“Coach tells us all the time we have to forget the last mistake a make the next play because we aren’t going to play anyone in league play who will give us an inch.”
Sage Creek (4-3) held a slim 5-3 edge in the first quarter when the Knights (7-2) scored the final 11 points of the quarter to take control.
A jumper 10 seconds into the second quarter pushed the Sage San Marcos lead to 16-5.
Sage Creek was able to cut the deficit to 20-14 when the Knights hit another surge for a 33-15 halftime lead.
“It’s hard to be crisp coming off 10 days without practice and Christmas,” said San Marcos coach Roger DiCarlo, whose team was 18for-64 shooting from the field for 28 percent. “We managed to do everything we’re supposed to do.
“It’s just that good enough is really not good enough to survive in the Palomar League.”
Bacho led the Knights in scoring with 14 points, including three 3-pointers to tie sophomore teammate Kyra Quinn and Ava Wiedemann.
Claire Krupshaw added the other two 3-pointers for the Knights, who also had a big game from 6-foot junior center Dayvis Key with 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
San Marcos also got nine points from sophomore Ava Wiedemann and Quinn.
“I’m kind of the leader on this team,” Bacho said. “Sometimes, I assume everyone plays on the same level with me and sees the same things I do, but they don’t.
“It is frustrating at times but no big deal when the younger players don’t see what I see.
“They are the future of the program and they’ll learn from those mistakes.”
San Marcos plays next at 7:30 p.m. today against Canyon Hills.
Sage Creek got 10 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks from junior Phoebe Arthur in the game.
The Bobcats continue play today at 4 p.m. against Fallbrook at West Hills High.