The Lady Knights head into an off-season full with a victory over the Lady Griffins of Grossmont, 64-45 on Feb. 22.

The Lady Knights shot over 41 percent from the field, 39 percent of that coming from beyond the 3-point line and 35 percent from the foul line. Melanie San Nichols led the way for the Lady Knights with 17 points. Lady Knights starter Diana Leasau and reserve Maria Torres each chipped in with 16 points apiece.

The Lady Griffins as a team shot over 30 percent from the field, 25 percent of it coming from beyond the arc and just under 56 percent from the charity stripe. Starting forward Jaleisha Freeman led the way for the Lady Griffins with 13 points and teammate Jonalynn Fuertes was 2nd on the team with 11 points.

The game started out slow, Lady Knights and Lady Griffins trading miss for miss. It wasn’t until the 17:58 that Freeman made the first basket for the Lady Griffins giving them a 2-0 lead. Then the Lady Knights went to work and took command with tenacious defense and 2nd chance points (29) and points off turnovers (28). Lady Knights had an early six point lead mid-way through the first half led by Leasau, Torres and San Nichols. With a mini shooting drought and turnovers by Lady Knights, The Lady Griffins came back hard with clutch 3-point shooting by Fuertes. Skelton and Freeman were able to re-take the lead at the 5:44 mark in the first half. The lead went back and forth until halftime where it was all tied up at 30.

In the second half, the Lady Griffins came out and took an early lead by up to seven points at the 13:08 mark in the 2nd half. With San Nichols and Torres keeping the Lady Knights close, at the 10:28 mark of the 2nd half, the Lady Knights took the lead and never looked back. Offensive rebounding, 2nd chance points and points off turnovers clearly all caused by smothering defense by the Lady Knights sealed the victory, sending first year Head Coach Andrea Aguilar( or “Coach Dre”), into an off-season full of hopes and a great future for the program.