Clutch shooting, scrappy defense holds off pesky Skyline

By Bonta Hill
SPORTS EDITOR

Beating a team three times in one season is difficult, but not impossible. This past Saturday, the City College women’s basketball team proved it is indeed possible.

Facing league rival Skyline College for the third time this season, the Trojans gave the Rams a punch to the gut. Courtney Buster, who was named  second team all-state, led the way with 17 points and 23 rebounds as the Rams pulled out a 70-59 victory in front of an electric crowd at the Wellness Center. First team all-state point guard Jazmine Holmes finished with 17 points and six assists.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we were confident,” said  Brittney Allen, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds. “I’m so happy right now for my team.”

For the second time in four seasons Coach Jamie Wong will lead her Rams to the Elite Eight. Their chances to return home as state championships are good.

The championships start Friday, March 13 and the deciding final game is scheduled for Sunday, March 15. All games this weekend will be played at Selland Arena in the Fresno Convention Center.

After a back and forth affair in the first half, the Rams took a 34-27 lead into the break, as  they were unable to shake loose a pesky Skyline squad. Trojan guard Laura Zalsey kept her squad in the game with lights out three-point shooting.

With 14 minutes to go, Skyline eventually took a brief lead. The Rams offense was a bit out of sync, but their defense picked up the game. After Skyline tied it at 45, the three-pointer became the Rams’ best friend.

“I think we wanted to make sure that we were taking good shots. Maybe we were a little more tentative, but really, in the big picture, overall we had 15 turnovers which isn’t all that horrible,” Wong said. “I am very proud of how our team played. We answered back when we needed too.”

The Rams did answer as Buster hit two layups, guards Stephanie Troung and Mone Peoples hit back-to-back three-pointers and the Rams went on a 10-0 run to take the lead for good 55-45.

Skyline wouldn’t quit. Zalsey kept hit andother three-pointer as Skyline cut the lead to 63-59. That would be Skyline’s last basket of the game.
With the crowd at the sold out gym gasping at every shot, freshman guard Brittney Allen then hit the biggest, and, quite possibly, the luckiest shot of her career.

Allen’s three-pointer bounced off the rim, went straight into the air, and fell through the basket to give the Rams a 66-59 lead with just over four minutes to go. That basket took the air right out Skyline’s sails.

Wong was full of praise for her team’s effort after the game.

“Courtney played great! 23 rebounds in a single game has to be  a record here at City College,” Wong said. “Brit and Jaz have always been a huge contributor to our offense especially in big games.”

This year’s team is determined to bring home a state banner – something that has never happened in the history of women’s basketball here at City College.

“We are all excited about going to Fresno. We reached a goal that we have been working towards since we started back in Oct. 15,” Wong said. “We were 30-plus games away, now we are three games away and we are ready to compete.”