Atascadero wins in CIF girls basketball quarterfinal. Here’s the SLO County roundup
Atascadero (17-11) played a high-intensity, back-and-forth contest on its home court and kept up a ferocious pace against Mendota (24-7), coming away victorious 42-31.
Four other SLO County teams lost Tuesday, ending their seasons in the second round of CIF Central Section action.
The Greyhounds kept a steady 10- to 20-point lead throughout the game behind the inside play of star senior forward Sophia Porter, who had 10 points.
Sophomore center Jacie George also tallied 10 for Atascadero, using her height advantage to pull down rebounds and gain position against smaller Aztecs opponents.
Mendota used a trap defense and fierce defensive pressure to force an up-tempo, chaotic rhythm to the game.
“It was next level of intensity,” Porter said. “Coming in, it was an uptight atmosphere. And then as the game went on, we got into our groove, and finally figured it out. At halftime, we said, ‘OK, we know the game pace. We just need to play our game.’”
Atascadero Coach Steve Gee credited his team with locking down Mendota’s sharp-shooting guards. The Aztecs saw three 3-pointers go through the hoop late, but several contested shots were off the mark throughout much of the game.
“Our defense held them really well, and they have some elite shooters,” Gee said. “Our goal was to keep them under five made threes and we did that.”
Greyhounds freshman guard McKenna Nichols had seven points, and junior Audrey Cohen added six.
“The progression of the program in the last two years is amazing,” Gee said. “They grind every day in practice and they’re super coachable. The future is very promising.”
During the regular season, Atascadero won the Ocean League with an 8-1 record for its first league title since 1997, Gee said.
Porter, a four-year varsity player, said that the program has benefited from good coaching and a boost from fans, including at Tuesday’s boisterous, well-attended game. The stands were mostly filled, and chants from the student section added to a charged atmosphere.
“We’ve had a step-up in coaching and a lot more people helping us and giving insight, which really helps a lot,” Porter said. “And more people have come to our games, which really boosts our adrenaline.”
The No. 4 Greyhounds advanced to play No. 1 Immanuel (25-5), of Reedley, on the road on Thursday.
Sierra 45, Morro Bay 38
The No. 4 Pirates (11-16) fell at home to No. 12 Sierra (22-7) in the second round of Division 3 action.
Taylen Robson led Morro Bay with 15 points and eight rebounds.
“This year’s team was incredibly young and played a difficult schedule in the Mountain League,” said Morro Bay Coach Alex Engel. “I’m proud of their work ethic, effort and the improvements they made this season. I’m looking forward to continuing to build with them next year.”
Orcutt Academy 56, Mission Prep 52
The No. 6 Royals (14-11) came close to pulling off the upset versus the Spartans (22-7) in Division 2.
Mission Prep went up against 6-foot-2 junior center Elizabeth Johnson, who averages 22.7 points per game.
“It was a one-point game at half, and in the third quarter, we couldn’t make a basket,” said Cary Nerelli, Mission Prep’s coach. “Orcutt built an 11-point lead, and our kids didn’t quit.”
Nerelli said the Royals did a solid job against Johnson, whom he called the “best athlete in two counties.”
“You’re not going to stop her,” Nerelli said. “You just do the best you can and try to stop everyone else. We kept her down, though, and I’m proud of our kids. All season long they fought.”
Mission Prep was led by senior sisters Maka Guy, who had 17 points, and K.K. Guy, who had 15 points. Junior Gwen Nelson added 13.
Nerelli said his team played a tough schedule and put together a successful season led by four close-knit seniors in the Guy sisters, Mary Marsalek and Lillie Parish.
“It’s going to be tough to lose our four seniors who gave all they had and showed amazing commitment,” Nerelli said. “They’ll remember the journey and being on the road to the tournament in Marin and experiences like that. Over time, the hurt (of the final loss) will go away and they’ll have all these great memories.”
Centennial 54, San Luis Obispo 46
The No. 5 Tigers (26-5) fell short on the road in Division 2 to the No. 4 Golden Hawks (22-6) from Bakersfield.
SLO was never down by more than 10 but couldn’t cut the lead to less than five in the second half, said SLO Coach Dan Monroe.
The Tigers held Centennial scoreless in the final 3.5 minutes of the contest but managed only two points of their own.
Bailey Hartford had a team-high 12 points, and Jennifer Stambaugh had 11. Eleven of SLO’s 13 players this season were underclassmen.
“I told them in the locker room, these types of teams don’t come around often,” Monroe said. “They have work ethic, come every day in practice giving it their all, and they’re doing the same to the last minutes of the game, diving on the floor for loose balls. Their work ethic is relentless and tireless.”
Monroe credited the team for its chemistry and camaraderie, along with trust in each other and the coaches.
“It’s the strongest team bond that we’ve ever had,” Monroe said.
Clovis West 69, Arroyo Grande 24
Arroyo Grande (16-10) fell on the road to a powerhouse team from Fresno in Division 1.
The No. 1 Golden Eagles (30-0) entered the contest as the defending Division I champions and were ranked by MaxPreps at No. 5 in California and No. 23 in the nation.
Clovis West used their height and speed to apply pressure, employing a full-court press. Arroyo Grande was forced into several turnovers and struggled to gain an offensive rhythm.
Junior center Diana Sorrondo finished with 10 points and 11 blocked shots for Arroyo Grande.
The Golden Eagles were led by junior guard Malohni Warren, who had 23 points, including 12 from behind the arc.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM.
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