Friday, Dec. 23, 2011

Late rally falls short for Panther girls

Millennium guard drops 23 in 47-30 PHS loss

The Pacheco High girls basketball team showed flashes of potential during a 47-30 loss Monday to Millennium Charter of Tracy, outscoring the Hawks 13-9 in the fourth quarter.

Now coach Kelly Welch says she wants more of that.

"As I explained to my girls, that intensity they had in the fourth quarter is something they need to walk into the gym with," Welch said. "We're inexperienced, but we're gaining the knowledge of what that intensity brings to the game. That will make or break the game.

"We played a strong fourth, now we need more of that from the get-go."

After a 39-24 loss to Millennium earlier this season, the Panthers came out of the gate sluggish as the Hawks jumped out to a 9-2 first-quarter lead. Millennium guard Nidia Sandoval than torched Pacheco for 15 of her 23 points in the second quarter.

"They executed the 3-2 zone and plugged all the holes," Welch said. "We just could not shut down number 1 (Sandoval)."

Guard Sam Rodriguez led the Panthers with 11 points, followed by Jasmin Garcia's 8. That late-game intensity led to eight rebounds and four steals by Clarissa Garcia, and also some extra-curricular arguing after the game. Jasmin Garcia added seven rebounds, and Rodriguez another three steals.

"My girls' defense is definitely what kept us alive," Welch said. "I'm proud of them and the intensity."

Pacheco followed Monday's game with a Tuesday loss to Dos Palos and a Wednesday loss to Hilmar, and is still searching for the first win of the season.