San Jule slashes Minarets defense, leads Mission Prep to second round of state playoffs
Minarets played right into Mission Prep’s hands on Wednesday night.
The school from the town of O’Neals, just north of Fresno, came out with full-court press in the first round of the CIF Division 5 playoffs at Mission Prep, and the Royals had the perfect counter: a blond blur named Jacqueline San Jule.
The senior point guard broke the Minarets’ press with her speed and unique crouched dribble and turned a handful of Minarets’ 11 turnovers into a 53-32 Mission Prep win.
“They threw three at her, and she was able to drive right past them,” Mission Prep head coach Andrew Richardson said. “It was good to see her score the ball.”
San Jule, despite hitting the game-tying 3-pointer to force overtime, was ice cold against Flintride Prep in the CIF Southern Section Division 5 finals loss last week.
“It felt so good,” San Jule said after the win over the Central Section foes. “I was what, 1 for 11 last game? It’s nice to have that confidence to go up and shoot. It has definitely been a progression for me because I know the last few years if I missed a shot, I wouldn’t keep shooting.”
San Jule got easy looks close to the rim against Minarets and finished the game with 14 points, four assists and two rebounds.
San Jule said it was weird, but comforting, to have a home court advantage again. Despite making a five-game run to the finals of the Southern Section Division 5 playoffs, it was the first home game for Mission Prep since February 18.
The Mission Prep fans witnessed one of the team’s best offensive performances. It was the eighth time this season that Mission Prep (22-9) has scored over 50 points. Noelle Laird had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Ani Boncich scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
But it was the defense that gave Richardson cause for concern.
“I’m pretty upset on how many points we allowed tonight,” Richardson said. “The past three teams that we have play, no one has scored that many points, and I don’t think (Minarets) is better than any of them.”
“If we want to go far, then we are going to have to play defense, because our offense isn’t great.”
The win sets up a rematch against Oxford Academy on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Mission Prep in the second round. The Royals bounced Oxford Academy from the CIF Southern Section Division 5 playoffs with a 39-24 win in the semifinals Feb. 27.
“We are going to continue to do the same stuff. The last time we played Oxford, we were able to get their best player in foul trouble,” Richardson said. “Who knows if that will happen this time. I think it will be a much closer game.”
This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 10:23 PM with the headline "San Jule slashes Minarets defense, leads Mission Prep to second round of state playoffs."