By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Don’t let the score fool you, or the loss deflect from the magical turnaround at Pasadena. Village Christian, the CIF-SS Division 4-AA’s No. 1 seed, did defeat Pasadena 67-53 on Saturday night in the semifinals. But the Bulldogs were within four points with four minutes to play. More importantly, Pasadena […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Don’t let the score fool you, or the loss deflect from the magical turnaround at Pasadena.
Village Christian, the CIF-SS Division 4-AA’s No. 1 seed, did defeat Pasadena 67-53 on Saturday night in the semifinals.
But the Bulldogs were within four points with four minutes to play.
More importantly, Pasadena (22-10), won more games this year than the two previous years combined.
In fact, they Bulldogs won seven more games this year than the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons combined.
Pasadena was led by Taurie Magee, who scored 21 and Kamesha Moore had 13.
Despite a disappointing loss, Pasadena could potentially receive a CIF State bid, with a semifinal run being the minimum requirement.
But down the stretch Saturday night, Village Christian looked like a No. 1 seed that has won 90-percent of their games this season.
Leslie Aguilar led the way for the Crusaders (27-3).
The other good news for the Bulldogs is that 11 of their 13 players will be back next season.
“The difference came down to experience. When push came to shove, we played individual basketball,” Pasadena coach Jett del Mundo said. “Village played team basketball all game. The core group knows what it feels to be relevant again. Pasadena girls basketball came back. We had some big wins/”
Pasadena scoring: Taurie Magee 21, Kamesha Moore 13, Nia Cathcart 3, Amber Townes 5, Mariah Cathcart 9, Gillian Smith 2.
Village Christian scoring: Leslie Aguilar 19, Alexis Mark 11, Alysha Yamada 12, Micaela Cacho-Negrete 13, Peyton Ruiz 2.
Box Score:
Village Christian: 16-12-16-22-(67)
Pasadena: 13-15-11-14-(53)
