The Dos Pueblos girls fell 57-39 Thursday to an Oxnard team fighting for the Channel League lead.
“Credit to Oxnard, they played really well and came out aggressive,” Dos Pueblos coach Manny Murillo said.
“Every game is a must win game for us from here on out,” he added. “Our energy and effort was not there tonight. When the energy, effort, and communication is there we can play with and beat any team in the league.”
“I was very happy with Evette Allen and Gianna Nichols — they combined for 22 rebounds and never stopped playing hard,” Murillo said. “They were going for every rebound and loose ball we need some more of that energy on Saturday. That has nothing to do with skill but everything to do with effort and the will to win.”
The Chargers are now 5-6 in league play and 10-14 overall. They face Oxnard again on Saturday.
Oxnard improves to 8-3 in the league, good for a four-way tied for the lead with Ventura, Buena and Pacifica.
Murillo complimented the Yellowjackets backcourt of senior guards Mika Jarrett and Kristan Yumul.
Kristan will be at Westmont next year,” Murillo said. “Coach (Kristen) Moore has a good kid coming in.”