Sports
Arcadia's Rio Hondo Prep Girls' BBall Team Claims CIF Division 6 Crown
Despite 25 points from Dawnyel Lair, the Kares had enough to avenge an early season loss to Los Angeles Price 66-57.
The Rio Hondo Prep girls’ basketball team avenged a loss to Price earlier this season to claim the Division 6 championship with a 66-57 victory over the Lady Knights Saturday afternoon at Godinez High School.
The championship is the third in school history, and the first under the tenure of head coach Joe Parker.
The Kares had no answer for Price’s freshman point guard Dawnyel Lair who recorded a double-double (19 points, 23 rebounds) along with five assists and five steals.
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“Our plan was to try to take the ball out of #1’s (Lair) hand,” Parker said. “Although we knew that she will get hers, I thought we played pretty well defensively overall.”
DeAnn Davis led four Kares in double digits, with 19 points and 3 rebounds. Stephanie Esquivel recorded a double-double (18 points, 18 rebounds), while Kristen Kirby added 16 points and six rebounds.
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Rio Hondo Prep was at a distinct size disadvantage, but Parker credit his team’s tenacious defensive and especially their rebounding that contributed to the victory.
“Although we gave up some 3-point shots, I think we did a great job controlling the glass.”
Marye Rellis added 10 points for Price, while Brigette Furlow and Nirvana Dawson each contributed nine points and nine rebounds apiece.
It was Price who drew first blood on a 3-pointer by Rellis. Back to back baskets by Davis and Esquivel gave the Kares a 5-3 lead. A free-throw by Esquivel tied the game 8-8. Rio Hondo Prep went on a 10-5 run to give the Kares an 18-13 lead to end the first quarter.
Price however wouldn’t go down easily, as they outscored the Kares 18-10 to take a 31-28 lead going into halftime. Kayla Anthony scored all her seven points, while Lair added six points during the run. Trailing 31-24, Esquivez and Anya West each made two free throws a piece to close the gap to 31-28.
West and Esquivez came through again, knocking down all six free throws in the waning seconds of the game to secure the victory.
BOX SCORES
RIO HONDO PREP (66) – DeAnn Davis (19), Stephanie Esquivez (18), Kristen Kirby (16), Anya West (11), Leslie Rodriguez (2)
PRICE (57) – Dawnyel Lair (19), Marye Rellis (10), Brigette Furlow (9), Nirvana Dawson (9), Kayla Anthony (7), Samarya Howard (2), Tiffany Nelson (1)