When the CIF-SS playoffs roll around, the Dos Pueblos girls basketball team will definitely be a battle-tested group.
The Chargers played their third Southern Section top-25 opponent in the last two weeks in the opener of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions on Friday. They gave Trinity League power JSerra a battle in a 66-57 loss in the Gold Division at Santa Barbara High’s J.R. Richards Gym.
Sophomore forward Kindah Ahmad Reda had a big second half, scoring 17 of her team-high 21 points to keep DP in the game. Senior guard Carly Letendre buried four three-pointers en route to 18 points and junior guard Asha Nayak added 12 points for the Chargers, who are now 6-6 on the season.
JSerra (9-2), a CIF-SS Division 1 playoff team last season, was led by 6-2 junior forward Kayla Rice with 22 points, savvy junior point guard Rosie Santos tossed in 14 points and dished out several assists and 6-2 junior forward Vivian Grenald added 11 points.
Led by the scoring of Rice, the Lions roared on an 11-0 run to take a 19-point lead (52-33) in the third quarter. But DP kept fighting and cut the margin to 10 late in the fourth quarter. Ahmad Reda sparked the surge with back-to-back baskets on a drive and an offensive rebound. Ahmad Reda and Letendre scored the final two baskets to drop the deficit under 10.
Some DP players were smiling at the end of the game, knowing they gave a solid effort against one of the top teams in the state.
Coach Andy Casanueva liked what he saw from his squad, which has regrouped following the loss of returning starter Taylor Grant with a season-ending injury suffered during the first week of the season.
“The last two weeks we’ve played Oak Park, Ventura and JSerra, who are among the top 25 teams in the Southern Section,” said Casanueva. “I think it’s good for our club, it’s a good atmosphere for them. They have the chance to compete against some high-level teams and grow as players. I like that. I’m happy for the kids to be in his kind of environment and play against a quality opponent.”
In the latest rankings by MaxPreps, JSerra is the No. 3 team in the Southern Section and sixth in the state. Oak Park is 11th in the section and Ventura is 25th.
Casanueva said the players have stepped up in Grant’s absence.
“Obviously, you can’t replace somebody like that but they have bought into the system and stick with it.”
He said while it was tough to keep pace with a talented squad like JSerra, he was pleased how his players kept competing and trying to keep the Lions off kilter.
“That’s what we try to do, just make some, as I like to call it, organized chaos.”
In other Gold Division action, San Marcos fell short against Camarillo, 54-52, Oaks Christian edged St. Joseph, 58-55, and Orcutt Academy handed Thousand Oaks its first loss of the season, 52-49.
In early action on Saturday, Dos Pueblos plays St. Joseph at 9 a.m. at Santa Barbara, and San Marcos hosts Thousand Oaks at 10:30 in consolation play. In the championship semifinals at SBHS, JSerra faces Oaks Christian at 12 p.m., followed by Camarillo against Orcutt Academy at 1:30 p.m.
The tournament winds up in the evening, with the championship game at 7:30 p.m. at SBHS. It will be preceded by the third-place game at 6 p.m., consolation final at 4:30 and seventh-place game at 3 p.m.
Camarillo 54, San Marcos 52
After Camarillo tied the score in the last minute of the game, the Royals missed a chance to take the lead.
They fouled and the Scorpions hit both free throws to take a two-point lead. San Marcos still had time for a game-winning or tying shot but it didn’t fall.
Daniela Rocha poured in 30 points to carry Camarillo (5-5).
Lily Ruvalcaba scored 16 points and Jada Ahmad had 15 to lead San Marcos (7-3). Piper Kittle, Izzy Schow and Selena Valencia provided some clutch scoring in the fourth quarter, combining for 13 points.
“Our girls are doing a better job of seeing and making plays for each other,” said San Marcos coach Devin Uyesaka. “We’re seeing more assists and better ball movement. Jada Ahmad led us tonight with eight assists.”
Arroyo Grande 57, Santa Barbara 20
The young Dons struggled against Arroyo Grande’s press and dropped their Green Division opener.
Freshman Amelia Lopez and junior Shea Gannon each scored seven points for the Dons (1-10), and Gannon grabbed six rebounds.
“It was nice to get Amelia back from a foot injury,” said Dons coach Andrew Butcher. “She played more minutes tonight and her play will improve as she gets more and more experience.”
Santa Barbara plays Westlake (2-6) in a consolation round game at 10:30 a.m.
In other Green Division action, San Luis Obispo defeated Buena, 43-31, Paramount beat Pacifica, 55-39, and Mission Prep topped Westlake, 42-35.
In the championship semifinals at San Marcos, Paramount plays San Luis Obispo at 12 p.m. followed by Mission Prep against Arroyo Grande at 1:30.
Pacifica and Buena meet in a consolation game at San Marcos at 9 a.m.
Later in the day, the semifinal winners meet for the title at 7:30 p.m. at San Marcos. The third-place game is at 6 p.m, consolation final at 4:30 and seventh place game at 3 p.m.