ORINDA, CA – Doc Scheppler’s Pinewood team may have a little more height than in years past, but he’s stuck to the formulas that have brought the tiny school many accolades and trophies. The three-pointer has traditionally been the heart of the offense, and Saturday at Miramonte in the Elite Showcase against California was no exception. The Panthers sank 10 such shots – not a gaudy amount by their standards but exactly 10 more than their opponent – and a spirit-crushing 39-8 second half was more than enough to catapult them to a 71-31 victory.
Una Jovanovic, who missed nearly all of last season with an injury, led the way with 20 points with 10 points in both the first and third quarters. Annika Decker tallied 10 points and five assists; Courtni Thompson added four points, five rebounds, and five assists; and freshman duo Chlea Facelo and Jade Ramirez chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.
California (3-2), playing its fifth game in as many nights, received 12 points from star guard Audrey Moulton. But only four of them came after the first period, while Erica Adams had none in the first but finished with 10. Pinewood (2-0) closed the first quarter on a 10-2 run to lead 20-11 but only extended its lead by one in the second. The Panthers netted the first eight points of the third, however, and continued to roll as California lost steam.
“Part of our game plan was just push tempo, push tempo,” Scheppler said, aware of California’s hectic schedule.
Both teams played last night at the Elite Showcase; Pinewood outlasted Clovis 60-54 (Jovanovic and Thompson scored 13 apiece) while St. Mary’s-Stockton thumped California 74-47.
“Recently I’ve been getting back into the groove,” Jovanovic remarked. “Today was the first game it just came naturally to me.”
“There’s a certain progression,” Scheppler noted about coming back from major injuries. “Your wires have to be reconnected. Be confident in what you’re doing and do it whether you succeed or fail. Tonight she was able to finish plays.”
St. Mary’s-Stockton routs San Joaquin Memorial
St. Mary’s-Stockton wrapped up a hugely successful turn at the Elite Showcase, defeating San Joaquin Memorial 70-46 less than 24 hours after blowing out California. Amaya Oliver finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds, and rookie point guard Brooklyn Perry tallied 13 points and six assists, for St. Mary’s (3-0). Maci James did the majority of scoring for San Joaquin Memorial (0-2) with 20 points.
“We have three really good point guards so (Perry) has to play different positions for us,” St. Mary’s-Stockton head coach Tom Gonsalves said. “She’s the real deal. She’s just inconsistent right now, being a freshman.”
The Rams only trailed once, when it was 2-0. They responded with nine straight and more than doubled their first quarter lead by outscoring their opponent 19-5 in the second period. The Panthers, behind James, maintained the deficit at about 20 to 25 points throughout the second half.
“We started doing things out of character,” Gonsalves stated. “We’re really young, so I have to have patience.”
Oliver, a veteran, highly-touted but uncommitted wing, dazzled the crowd with a mix of acrobatic drives, deft outside shooting, smart distributing, and key offensive rebounds. Tai Sherman added 15 points, with 12 coming from beyond the arc, and Monique Vasquez added eight, for St. Mary’s-Stockton. The Panthers also had eight points apiece from Trinity Scott and freshman Meadow Rowland.
Last year in the Heritage Showcase, St. Mary’s-Stockton beat the Panthers handily, 55-36.
