WESTERN LEAGUE TOUGHENS UP Q’S

Playing in the Western League against the likes of Cathedral Catholic and Christian provides serious basketball competition for Serra.

No surprise that the Conquistadors would garner a No. 2 seed in Division I, leading to a 57-38 victory over No. 15 Olympian Wednesday night at Serra High.

“We had to step up to be competitive in league and it helped us,” said junior Angelica Mcbride, who led the Conquistadors (17-9) with 21 points.

“I think we can win this division if we keep playing hard together.

“Division I is where we belong (rather than the Open Division) because it’ll allow us to work on our skills.”

With the victory, Serra advances to the San Diego Section quarterfinals Saturday at home against Torrey Pines. It will be the first meeting between the teams this season.

Olympian (10-19) played

Serra 57, Olympian 38

even with Serra for the first four minutes, but when the Conquistadors went on a 12-1 streak, they built a lead that expanded to double figures by the break and never dipped under 10.

Still, each time Serra threatened to make the game a rout, the Eagles, behind a 17point game from Micaela Luffborough, would make a run.

That’s when the Q’s advantage on the boards — 4631 — would deny the big basket.

Serra junior Charisa Thomas pulled down 13 rebounds to go with 11 points, while fellow team captain Mcbride also finished with a double-double by adding 10 boards.

Both teams figure to contend for Open Division berths next season. Combined, the two squads have just three seniors.

Brand is a freelance writer.