Girls Varsity Basketball vs Capistrano Valley
February 17, 2020
Cate Girls Basketball 41-Capistrano Valley 38
6-9-10-16=41
5-11-12-10=38
The Cate girls varsity basketball team faced a talented and relentless Capistrano Valley team in their second-round CIF-SS Div 4A playoff victory on Saturday night. Playing in the toughest environment to date, the Rams battled back after falling behind by as many as eight points in the first half. Our initial offensive struggles were the result of lots of nervous energy that was exacerbated by a very vocal and large student section. Fortunately, Capo Valley also struggled early as both teams remained scoreless halfway through the first quarter. The Rams began to find their rhythm with two critical buckets from senior Maya Blattberg and one from sophomore Meena Baher. The Rams led 6-5 after the first.
Managing the Rams’ halfcourt trap, the Cougars, led by Leah Manning, scored an impressive 9 points in the second quarter. This gave the Cougars a 15-7 lead well into the quarter. Refusing to surrender, the Rams applied more pressure on defense while Baher hit two huge 3’s. Blattberg added another 2 chipping the Cougars’ lead to only 1 at halftime.
We came out in the third quarter in a box-and-one defense with senior Piper Brooks tasked with guarding Manning. Not only did Brooks hold Manning scoreless in the third quarter, but her defensive intensity energized and inspired her teammates, our fans, and coaches. We had important offensive contributions from junior Deborah Brittain in the third, as well as Baher. The Rams were trailing 28-25 heading into the fourth quarter.
After key defensive adjustments to help Brooks stop Manning, the Rams also managed to hold all other Cougars scoreless in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Cate got balanced scoring from junior Lily Zanze, Baher, Blattberg, and Brittain in the fourth giving the Rams a 37-35 lead with 1:09 remaining.
The final minute felt like a lifetime. First, the Cougars sought a steal in their press, but were forced to foul Lily Zanze, who hit two critical free throws giving the Rams a 4 point lead. Manning then retaliated with a deep 3 bringing the Rams lead to just 1! After getting stuck in a trap and then calling a timeout, we got Blattberg the ball on the press break, who was then fouled. In the most clutchest of fashions, Blattberg, who has struggled from the free-throw line this year, knocked down the first of a one-in-one, then calmly hit the second. The Cougars proceeded to have two attempts from the three-point line to tie the game in the last 36 seconds, but the Rams defense, which sent a double team to Manning, forced her to give up the ball on the final possession.
We couldn’t be more proud of the courage and fight that the Rams showed on Saturday night. Understandably, with the size of the crowd and the importance of the game, there was a lot of nervous energy. But they managed it and never gave up. (Here is the SB Newspress article.)
The incredible performance of our girls on Saturday night was the highlight of an already really fun weekend. The Rams traveled to Pauley Pavilion on Friday night to watch the best college women’s player in the country, Sabrina Ionescu, lead her # 3 Oregon Ducks team to victory over # 7 UCLA. Thank you to Wade Ransom for making this a possibility.
Likewise, thank you to all the parents, family, and friends, who traveled to the game on Saturday. While our cheering section was smaller, at many times you were louder and more impactful. Sincere appreciation also to the parents who were watching from afar and sent messages of support and congratulations!
We play #2 Marshall (23-3) at Cate on Wednesday night at 7. Please come out and support!