Before the season began, Saugus head coach Anthony Falasca mentioned in a phone call with The Signal that he believes this year’s graduating class of seniors may have played 100-plus varsity games together as a group since they were freshmen.
After another 28 games added to the list, Saugus High School and Falasca said goodbye to the tenured group on senior night as the Lady Centurions defeated the Golden Valley Grizzlies, 54-36, Monday.
“If I can get the words out, this is an important group. Four years ago, I took the [head coach] position on a Friday, played our first game on a Saturday and didn’t know any of the girls but maybe one or two,” Falasca said. “But I learned to coach as they learned to play. They trusted me and I trusted them.”
After the game, Falasca added he’s not only a better coach today because of the girls, but also a better person having stated that nothing could have prepared him for this season despite the 26 years of coaching experience.
“In a career, I think you get a team like this, maybe two or three times, right? And with this level of talent and just chemistry, probably once in a lifetime,” he said. “They care more about each other than themselves, which in turn makes us coach that way.”
Throughout the game, every senior got the opportunity to play, and when the moment came to be subbed out, Falasca let them have their moment as the announcers called their name for the fans in the crowd.
From the likes of Samanta Cortez to EvaMarie Rios, a total of seven seniors were celebrated with Falasca sharing a moment with each player before they sat down on the bench.
Rios led all Saugus (20-8, 10-2) players in scoring with 15 points, while Cortez tallied 12 points.
As for Golden Valley, the Grizzlies (12-14, 2-9) had some recognition of their own.
In the first half’s final seconds, freshman Brighton Blythe stole a ball from a Saugus player and scored on the transition off a layup. By doing so, she officially recorded her 500th career point, an achievement that got applause for Blythe at Saugus High School.
She finished the night with 25 points, and will look to finish the year strong with her Grizzlies on Wednesday as the team plays its final game against the Valencia Vikings at 5 p.m.
For Falasca and the Lady Centurions, although the regular season is over, the postseason race begins.
The team will have over a week to prepare for the first round of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section playoffs, and no matter what division the Lady Centurions land in, Falasca is looking forward to finishing the year off in a big way with his group.
“By having these last couple games and practices, we’re able to put some new things in,” he said. “We’re going to be able to play with some things, we got some days until the playoffs start, we’ll be good and we’re right where we want to be.”
The girls’ basketball playoffs begin on Feb. 12, but the brackets will be released on Saturday, which will preview who and where the Lady Centurions will play.
After Tuesday night’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Valencia 64, Canyon 46: The Valencia Vikings (23-4, 11-0) are officially this season’s outright Foothill League champions after a win over Canyon (15-12, 7-4).
Senior Cara McKell led all Valencia players in scoring with 13 points and tallied six rebounds and six steals. The Lady Vikings play their final regular-season game on the road against the Grizzlies at Golden Valley Wednesday.
The Cowboys celebrate their seniors at home Wednesday in the team’s final game of the year.
Both games tip off at 5 p.m.
Hart 54, Castaic 14: The Hart Hawks (11-16, 5-6) kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over Castaic (8-16, 0-10).
The Lady Hawks play their final game of the regular season against the Wildcats at West Ranch High School in what will be a must-win for each team that will determine who gets the final automatic playoff spot in the Foothill League.
As for Castaic, the Coyotes hit the road to Canyon High School for a matchup with the Cowboys.
Both games tip off at 5 p.m.
Photos below from the Lady Centurion’s win over Golden Valley:
