Sports
Diamond Ranch Too Much for El Modena in 69-18 Victory
The Diamond Ranch High School girls basketball team utilized press defense en route to 69-18 victory over El Modena in a first round CIF matchup.
The Diamond Ranch girls' basketball team is on a mission, especially after how its season ended abruptly last year.
The Panthers lost last season's CIF semi-final matchup against Serra when Sierra Thompson supposedly fouled out, but was allowed to re-enter the game because she didnt have the five fouls needed for disqualification. Thompson would then score the tying score in regulation, and ten points in overtime to lead Serra to the win.
"The seniors are on a mission," Panthers head coach Mike James said. "We were in the semi-finals the past three years, and we were cheated last year. This year we are focused on the prize."
Find out what's happening in Diamond Bar-Walnutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Thursday night there was no question as the Panthers led wire to wire to easily dispatch of the visiting El Modena Vanguards 69-18 in a CIF Division 3AA first round matchup.
Chelsea Barnes led three Panthers in double digits with a game high 27 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists. Tai Lark tallied 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Tyvette White added 10 points, six rebounds, six steals and a block
Find out what's happening in Diamond Bar-Walnutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
El Modena (10-15) was unable to figure out the Panther press as it was forced into 12 steals in and was held to only seven points in the first half.
"We work on the press every day practice," James said. "It's not about getting steals, but rather making the other team to go around it rather then through the middle. It has been successful throughout the year. You can say it has become our trademark."
Gabby Casas led the way for the Vanguards with five points, while Jasmine Yancey and Cassandra Jimenez each tallied four points as El Modena was able to muster 11 points in the second half.
The Panthers once again were without the services of Erika Williams, who was injured earlier in the year and hasn't played since.
"Other players have stepped up and responded all year," James said.
Diamond Ranch (23-6) travels to Hawthorne Saturday night as they face the Cougars in a second round matchup. Tip off is at 7 p.m.