MARCH 6, 2020
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HIGH SCHOOLS, RECREATION & SIGN-UPS
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Heritage bounces McClatchy from state basketball playoffs by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Heritage guard Paige Ziemann glides to the hoop during the Patriots’ 51-39 win over McClatchy High in the opening round of the state playoffs.
Heritage High School girls’ basketball head coach Rob Ocon was concerned his squad team was going to be rusty after an 11-day layoff heading into the opening round of the Division 1 state playoffs against Sacramento’s McClatchy this week. But by the middle of the second quarter, the Patriots were running like a well-oiled machine en route to a 51-39 victory. “I am very proud of them for shaking off some of that rust early,” Ocon said. “They executed the game plan pretty much to perfection today.” The sixth-seed Patriots (22-6) will now clash with third-seed Clovis North on March 5. Heritage’s victory came 11 days after the squad fell 54-31 to Cardinal Newman in the opening round of the elite North Coast Section Open Division playoffs on Feb. 20. In the days following the loss, the Patriots were pushed extra hard in prac-
tice to keep up their stamina and prepare for the state playoffs, Ocon said. That work showed against 11thseed McClatchy. The Patriots (22-6) used a 13-0 second-quarter run to open up a 13-point halftime lead that hovered around double digits for the remainder of the contest. Freshman post player Amanda Muse led all scorers with 18 points, and junior guard Ella Roberts scored 15 off the bench, including three 3-pointers, to lead Heritage to victory. Senior post player and League MVP Abby Muse added 10 in the win. “Our team basketball really carried us tonight,” said Abby. “A lot of people, especially Ella Roberts, really picked up the slack tonight. Everyone pitched in — everyone did something positive.” The Heritage defense dared McClatchy (26-5) to beat them on the perimeter, but the Lions were not up to the task, held to their lowest scoring output of the season, which included only four second-quarter points and 11 in the first half. McClatchy guard Nicole Gee led
the Lions with 10 points, seven coming in the fourth quarter when the Patriots were in control of the contest. “We knew if we could hold them to right around 40, we had a good chance,” Ocon said. Heritage largely took control of the game in the second quarter after leading by only 2 at the end of the first. Roberts, who scored 8 of the team’s 15 second-period points, knocked down two 3-pointers in the second frame that pushed the Patriots lead to 7, then 13 a little over two minutes later. The Patriots led by 13 at halftime and after three quarters. McClatchy drew to within 11 with under four minutes to play, but the Patriots never wavered. Senior guard Paige Ziemann, Roberts and Muse knocked down five of six unanswered free-throws to push the lead to 16 with under three minutes to play. Results of Heritage’s game with Clovis North occurred after this newspaper went to print. To view the score, visit www.thepress.net. To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows
Photos by Tony Kukulich
Liberty High defensive lineman Peyton Borrelli (left) and running back Justice Jackson (right) recently signed their college letters of intent.
Photo courtesy of Bristow Middle School
Liberty players sign letters of intent Still number one Two Liberty High School superstars recently signed their letters of intent. Football players Justice Jackson, a running back, and Peyton Borrelli, a defensive lineman and tight end, signed off to attend Eastern Washington University and Southern Utah University, respectively. Jackson saw limited action in his only season for the Lions but racked up 25 catches for 493 yards and six touchdowns in five games, which was good enough to earn a spot on the all-league first team. Prior to attending Liberty, Jackson also made a splash for the Berean Christian High School squad, rushing for 957 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons, according to Maxpreps.com. He also made seven catches for
81 yards, earning first-team all-league nod both seasons. Borrelli, meanwhile, played both sides of the ball for the Lions in three seasons for the varsity squad. On offense, he caught 11 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown, and on defense, collected 62 tackles and 16 sacks. He was an all-league first team defensive member his senior season and an all-league honorable mention member on defense his junior campaign. Southern Utah head coach Demario Warren spoke glowingly of his recruiting class in comments on a school website. “We are excited about adding these young men to our program,” Warren said.
for second year
The Bristow seventh-grade boys’ basketball team finished its season undefeated once again. This is the team’s second straight undefeated season. From 3-pointers, driving to the hole, crazy plays and hard work, these boys worked together to make the season memorable, team officials said. The team would like to thank Coach Doc for his time and dedication, players’ families and the school community, who came out to watch the boys play. The team is comprised of Nick, Jace, Jordan, Amall, Austin, Alex, Tristyn, Ryder, Camren, Caleb and Isaiah.
