LA JOLLA, CA – The college coaches and analysts present at the 14th annual La Jolla Country Day Sweet 16 tournament already knew all about IImar'I Thomas but many of the local fans were getting their first look at Thomas and the defending CIF Division III champion Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Fightin’ Irish squad.
The learning curve was almost as quick as Thomas got up and down the court in a 69-24 season-opening Sacred Heart Cathedral win over Helix-La Mesa.
By the end of the first quarter Sacred Heart Cathedral led 29-7 and Thomas already had a double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Coach LyRyan Russell played her sparingly the rest of the way but in just over two quarters of work the 6-1 Cincinnati-bound Thomas, who can play any position on the court, finished with 30 points, 22 rebounds, three blocks and steals and two assists.
La Jolla Country Day host and Coach Terri Bamford made an accurate but not derogatory statement using three words.
“She’s a beast,” said Bamford as she watched Thomas dominate play while hardly breaking a sweat.
Prior to the spring and summer viewing periods Thomas was only on the radar screens of several mid-major schools, but since the end of last season she’s picked her game way up and gotten her conditioning in order as well, so when Cincinnati offered the Irish senior accepted, and it appears to be a good fit.
“Cincinnati is a place she will fit in and be able to play and contribute right away,” said highly-respected ESPNW Hoopgurlz analyst Dan Olson as he watched Thomas in action in La Jolla.
Once the Irish took a 45-10 halftime lead Russell substituted freely so none of the other starters had big numbers but other girls served notice they will be major contributors. Senior guard Edina del Rosario had 11 points and four steals, junior Errayanna Hatfield chipped in with eight points, five rebounds and three steals, junior Aliyah Arcillas had eight points including two 3-pointers, and junior Rainah Smith only had four points but snagged eight rebounds with three steals and two assists.
Helix (0-1) was led by Camryn Owens with 11 points.
Cal-Hi Sports pre-season No. 9 Sacred Heart Cathedral now faces Mater Dei Catholic-Chula Vista, a 66-40 winner over Bradshaw Christian-Sacramento. Mater Dei (1-0) got 22 points from sophomore guard Chloe Webb and 19 points from senior Joice Beda.
As is the case in a tournament where state-ranked teams are involved there are bound to be first round blowouts and Cal-Hi Sports pre-season No.14 Pinewood was even more dominating than Sacred Heart Cathedral in a 69-11 total dismantling of Cathedral Catholic-San Diego.
Sophomore sensation Hanna Jump led Pinewood (1-0) with 20 points including six 3-pointers. Freshman Kiara added 10 points.
Pinewood now faces highly regarded Highlands Ranch of Colorado
Mission Hills-San Marcos (1-0) had a sluggish start and after only leading 47-37 after three quarters they pulled away and put a lid on the opposing basket to post a 74-39 victory over Ribet Academy-Los Angeles.
Khayla Rooks, a 6-1 forward committed to Washington, led Cal-Hi Sports pre-season No. 6 Mission Hills with 26 points. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills junior transfer Hailey McCoy added 22 points including four 3-pointers.
Modesto Christian (1-0) flexed its muscles with a 64-36 win over Canyon Springs-Moreno Valley. Four girls hit double-figure scoring led by the 14 points of Alyssa Sandoval (four 3-pointers) and the 14 points of 6-4 sophomore post D’aja Bryant. Rachel Smith added 11 points, and Nicole Warwick chipped in with 11 points, all on free-throws.
The reward for Coach Robb Spencer and his Modesto Christian girls is a Thursday afternoon match-up with Mission Hills.
