WHITTIER — California and Pioneer high schools were both looking to follow up a successful December with a win in their Del Rio League girls basketball opener, as each hope to challenge league stalwart El Rancho.The Condors took a leg up on the Titans on Wednesday.
Valerie Vazquez scored 18 points off the bench and hit a 3-pointer in the final minute to lead California to a 56-51 victory over host Pioneer.
Nicole Robles, who was 3 of 8 from 3-point range, had 13 points, and Farah Waked, who was 4 of 7 on 3-pointers, had 12 points for the Condors, who improved to 12-3.
Marissa Mora had 24 points and 15 rebounds and Raylene Cosio had 18 points for the Titans, who slipped to 13-6.
Cal, after closing the second quarter with a 14-2 run for a 36-24 lead at halftime, seemed to have it sewn up after beginning the third quarter with a 10-4 surge to go up 46-28 with four minutes remaining.
But then the Titans caught fire. They closed the quarter with a 10-0 surge to cut the deficit to 46-38 before scoring the first nine points of the fourth quarter for a 47-46 lead on a Bianca Caro scoop shot with 4:15 left.
Cal then woke up, regaining the lead at 49-47 on Vazquez 3-pointer at 4:06. Mora made two three throws to tie it a 49 before Cal regained the advantage for good in the final minute.
Vazquez hit her second 3-pointer for a 54-51 lead with 31 seconds left before Paris Rivera converted a turnover into a layup to push it to 56-51 with 19 seconds left.
Cal’s Valerie Vazquez: “It was really tough. But I’m proud of my team for how we finished and being able to pull off a win. We’ve worked really well together this year, working as a team. That’s been the difference this year.”
— Stephen Ramirez
OTHER SCORES
Del Rio League
Whittier 46, La Serna 26
El Rancho 60, Santa Fe 19
Suburban League
La Mirada 56, Artesia 24