High School Basketball : Santana Loses Cool, Not Game

LA MESA —  The Santana High School girls’ basketball team looked pretty well organized as it built a 27-9 lead in the first half against Helix Tuesday. But by the end of the game, Sultan Coach Wade Vickery had a different description of his team’s play.

“The girls didn’t need a coach tonight, they needed a ringmaster,” Vickery said after Santana held on for a 43-33 nonleague victory at Helix.

Third-ranked Santana (12-2) played smoothly at the start. Guard Rebecca Aase scored 10 of Santana’s first 12 points, and the Sultans led, 16-6, after the first quarter and 27-9 with 3:15 in the half. But they were shut out the rest of the quarter, which ended at 27-13.

Santana looked to be back in form opening the third quarter when Stephanie Thompson scored inside on a pass from Aase. But Helix’s Andrea McTrusty suddenly developed the hot hand.

McTrusty outscored Santana, 12-2, mostly from outside. The streak ended with remaining in the third quarter, on a 14-foot shot that pulled Helix within 31-25.

Helix again closed to within six--39-33--with 2:42 to play. But Thompson stole a pass and went the distance for a layup and a 41-33 Santana lead with 1:32 left, sealing the victory.

Thompson and Aase each had 16 points. McTrusty scored 12 points and center Julie O’Neal 9 for Helix.

“We didn’t play well,” Vickery said. “I thought Helix played aggressive. I thought the officiating was aggressive. But if you play hard and alert, you’re supposed to make your own breaks.

“We can play better than this. We made some very poor decisions.”