The St. Monica Mariners girls basketball team defeated the Serra Cavaliers 46-24. The Mariners now have a 15-9 overall record, the Cavaliers are now at 9-5 overall. This extends St. Monica to a four-game winning streak; they defeated Rio Mesa, Millikan, Bishop Conty-Loretto, and Serra in under a week.
Mariners seniors Shadel Ffrench and Kaya Ghobrial scored 14 points each.
“We have good chemistry and we played as a team. We played with good energy,” Ffrench said. “A positive vibe, a positive energy.”
St. Monica went on a six-point run to end the first quarter, putting them ahead 11-6. The post players scored in the early minutes. The Mariners brought intensity on the defensive end, sprinting for steals and committing blocked shots.
Related Stories
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: A Century of Historic Moments
The Mariners knew how to keep control of the ball and extend their possessions. Their offensive rhythm helped them pull away in the second quarter. By halftime, the Mariners were up 33 -15.
The Cavaliers made runs late in the second half but struggled to contain the Mariners. Their effort improved from the first half. Serra senior noted how their coach was integral to their late surge.
This matchup marks the second time this season that Serra and St. Monica clashed. On December 5, the Mariners defeated the Cavaliers 58-48.
“We played them before. Even though we were down a player because she got hurt, I don’t know if that affected us,” said Serra senior Kaylah Holmes. “He always told us if somebody’s hurt, you don’t let that affect the team, just keep going. You should already know how to play the game.”
Serra now has a 10-12 overall record, they are also fourth in the Camino Real league with a 3-5 record. St. Monica is second in the league with a 7-2 record.
In late December the Cavaliers had a four-game winning streak. During that time, they held the South Gate Rams to eight points. The loss to St. Monica marks a three-game losing streak for Serra.
“I feel like we could communicate a little more and rebound and box out,” Holmes said. “Stop standing and letting people get through without talking.”
Both Serra and St. Monica have their next game on January 23. The Cavaliers have a road game against the Mary Star of the Sea Stars at 6:00P.M. The Mariners will battle the Saint Joseph Jesters at 6:30P.M.
