Spartan girls stumble against Channel Islands
Basketball team's overall record still outstanding
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TOUGH NIGHT ON THE HARDWOOD- Rio Mesa point guard Jaclyn Johnson, left, tries to dribble around Channel Islands' Arlene Cortez during Tuesday's Pacific View League showdown at RMHS. The Spartans lost the game 51-42, dropping their league record to 2-2. Prior to Thursday night's contest vs. Pacifica, Rio Mesa's overall record stood at 15-4.

Even though the girls' basketball team at Rio Mesa High has started out strong this season, it couldn't withstand Channel Islands on Tuesday night as the Spartans lost 51-42 at home.

The loss places Rio Mesa's Pacific View League record at 2-2, while its overall record fell to 15-4.

Early on against Channel Islands the Spartans looked as if they would coast to an easy win as they built an 187 lead, thanks to six first-quarter points by senior S a m a n a t h a Lemos and four f i r s t - q u a r t e r points by junior Jaclyn Johnson.

Channel Islands came surging back in the second quarter by going on a 12-2 run, sparked by 10 second-quarter points by Marie Beck and two 3pointers by senior Jodi Valentin.

At the end of the half, the score was knotted at 26.

In the third quarter, Valentin continued her sharp shooting ways, hitting backtoback 3pointers, both of them from NBA range, to give CIHS a sixpoint lead.

Rio Mesa couldn't get past the tenacious defense of the Raiders, and the Spartans didn't score a point in the second half until Johnson hit a jump shot with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter.

The Spartans tried to make a late run in the third quarter when Michelle Santizo hit two free throws after a technical foul by CIHS head coach Patrick Bell.

Shortly thereafter, RMHS freshman Leah Crier hit a jump shot in the key to cut Channel Islands' lead to 36-32.

The Spartans pulled within three when Johnson and Julianne Jochums both made layups, but that's as close as they would get.

Channel Islands finished out the fourth quarter with a 7-1 run sparked by another inside jumper by Beck and the team making five out of its six freethrow attempts down the stretch. The Spartans also could not stop sophomore Tina Arenas, who scored 11 points, all of them coming in the second half. Meanwhile, Rio Mesa could only convert on one of its six free throws during the last three minutes of the game.

"I think Channel Islands played with more intensity than us in the second half," Rio Mesa head coach Daniel Campbell said. "I think our free-throw shooting was cold tonight, but I think our overall shooting tonight was even worse."

Although the Spartans lost, Santizo led the way for RMHS with 10 points despite landing awkwardly on her leg in the second quarter. Jochums and Johnson both contributed with eight points each.

Beck led the way for the Raiders with a game-high 16 points, while Valentin added 12 and Arenas scored 11.

Although the Spartans have played well this year, Santizo said the team would have to pick up its efforts if it wants to win the Pacific View title.

"We need to respond. We need to get something going," Santizo said. "We need to pick it up on defense. We are getting lost way too fast out there.

"Last season it seemed we had more heart and dedication than we do early on this year. This year we need to learn to unite and put our heart into every play and every game," she said.

Although Rio Mesa has lost its last two games, Campbell is confident the team will bounce back.

"In this basketball league there isn't enough time to dwell on a loss," Campbell said. "We have another game in two days, and we have to shake this loss off."

Rio Mesa played at Pacifica yesterday but as of press time the score was unavailable. The Spartans play Tuesday at home against Hueneme. Game time is set for 7 p.m.