Justin-Siena pulls away in fourth quarter to beat Napa in defensive slugfest
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
In low-scoring games, every bucket is important. That also puts a premium on making shots.
That’s what the Justin-Siena girls basketball team did on Monday night when they pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Napa, 38-28.
In the contest, neither team could gain separation throughout the first three quarters. However, the Braves (8-7 overall, 1-1 Vine Valley Athletic League) pulled away in the fourth quarter by holding Napa to just six points.
“I think the team’s intensity and kind of just our desire to win definitely was ramped up in the fourth quarter – something kind of clicked with everyone,” Justin-Siena junior guard Mary Huen said as to what changed in the fourth quarter. “And we’re just like, ‘alright, this is a team that we should definitely be working harder to win against,’ and kind of just put it all out there.”
This was also one of the best games that the Grizzlies (1-14, 0-2 VVAL) have played all year. There were a few points in the game where Napa held the lead.
“They were talking on defense, they’re getting hands-on everything,” Napa High head coach Taylor Willis said as to what she saw from her team in the game. “They were boxing out, they were getting offensive boards. They’re being strong with the ball – I saw a lot of really great things, and I think like I said, it just comes down to the end just some of those shots just not falling for us. The ones that should go in.”
Another reason Justin-Siena was able to win the game was the effort of Jordan Washington. The freshman center finished the game with a solid double-double of 13 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots. She also converted 1 of her 2 free throws.
“Jordan and Mary are solidifying themselves as two of our go-to players on offense,” Justin-Siena head coach Andy Bettencourt explained. “Jordan gutted it out through a little bit of an ankle thing, and then Mary is just becoming more and more consistent in terms of getting to the rim and finding her shot.”
Huen finished the game with 11 points and 1 rebound. She was able to make 7 of her 13 free throws in the game. Down the stretch, she missed just one shot from the line to help close out the contest.
Cassie Richardson finished with 6 points and brought in 2 rebounds. Megha Jackson added 3 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Jackson also made 1 of her 3 free throws. Charmaine Griffin scored two points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Isabella Wright scored two points. Bella Balmaceda made one free throw as well.
Meanwhile, Napa was led by Sofia Tinnon. The senior forward scored 8 points, corralled 9 rebounds, and blocked a shot.
Nadia Ali-Musa added 6 points and 5 rebounds. Ali-Musa also converted 3 of 5 free throws. Isabella Jaso-Nelson scored 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Chloe Dinsdale scored 3 points and grabbed 2 rebounds. Julie Ramirez scored 2 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. Olivia Vavricka also scored 2 points and grabbed a rebound. Jemma Ceja Delgado also made a free throw and scored 3 points.
Both teams will be back in action on Wednesday night at 7 pm. Justin-Siena will host Sonoma Valley. As for Napa, they’ll also be at home for Big Game against Vintage. Napa and Vintage met once this season in the Wine Valley Tournament consolation championship that saw the Crushers win 57-25 on December 18th.
