Centurion EvaMaria Rios leads Saugus to victory with 23-point performance; plus, scores from around the Foothill League
The Centurions completed their sixth victory of the season and back-to-back Foothill League wins on Friday with a 57-44 triumph over the Canyon Cowboys behind Saugus’ senior point guard EveMarie Rios’ 23-point-plus performance.
After the game, Saugus head coach Anthony Falasca said he’s proud of his team to get the win, but that there is still work left to be done and improved on.
“I think in the first half, we came out and executed everything I wanted to do with our offensive game plan and defensive game plan. I thought we looked really good,” he said. “I think in the third quarter, we started great but then we got a little lackadaisical … We just got tired and we made a few subs, ended that third, and then we gave them their life.”
In the first half, the Centurions (6-1, 2-0) outscored the Cowboys (3-5, 1-1) 30-17, and in the third quarter, Canyon’s offense exploded for 17 points in attempt to come back against Saugus.
Canyon’s sophomore guard Darby Dunn led all Cowboys in scoring with 18 points and was joined by Shannen Wilson, who dropped 15 in the loss.
Despite both players’ performance, it was not enough to complete the comeback as the Centurions’ offense was too much for Canyon to handle.
Rios had 23 points with four 3’s with Jasmine Garcia scoring nine points, all coming from beyond the arc.
Junior forward Rachel Correa also contributed 13 points in the victory.
Falasca said the offense game plan being executed is largely thanks to Rios and her leadership — and that she’s like another coach on the court.
“There are times this year where she doesn’t need to look for me to call a play. She sees something and we allow her as a coaching staff to make those reads,” he said. “She calls plays on things that she sees and makes our job as coaches easier. When she’s hitting shots like that and being able to facilitate, she’s the best point guard in our league.”
With the win, the Centurions secured their back-to-back double-digit league win and look to challenge Valencia for sole possession of first place in the Foothill League.
Falasca believes the game will be a good one and that his team will be prepared for the matchup on the road.
“(A 2-0 record), whether it’s league or not, is good,” he said. “For us, coming into Valencia on a high, and beating a team that we had circled from the beginning of the season, and the fact that it was a home game for us. We’ll get to work and look at tape on Valencia and we’ll be prepared Tuesday and ready to go.”
As for Canyon, the Cowboys dropped their first league game following a victory over Hart earlier in the month. The Cowboys will look to bounce back on Tuesday at home against the West Ranch Wildcats with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m.
After Friday’s night games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
West Ranch 60, Castaic 23: The Wildcats (8-1, 2-0) secured a road win over Castaic (2-5, 0-2) with West Ranch’s offense outscoring the Coyotes in the third quarter, 23-6, en route to the double-digit victory.
The Wildcats will carry the momentum to a road matchup against Canyon on Tuesday, with the Coyotes hitting the road to Golden Valley to face the Grizzles.
Valencia 66, Hart 17: The Vikings (5-1, 1-0) opened Foothill League play with a blowout win over the Hart Hawks (1-6, 0-2).
The Hawks, who were last season’s league champions with an 11-1 record, have exceeded their losses from last year in the league’s opening week.
Hart head coach Zack Koebel and the Hawks will have their scheduled bye on Tuesday before picking up league action at home Friday against the Golden Valley Grizzlies.
As for Valencia, the Vikings host the Centurions on Tuesday with the game set to tip off at 5 p.m.
Photo gallery from Saugus girls’ basketball win over Canyon:
