By MORRIE PONGRATZFriday night at Griffith Gym in a first round state tournament game the Hilltoppers Girls’ basketball team managed to hold on for a 66-60 victory over the Goddard Rockets.
As expected, the 5th seeded Hilltoppers jumped out to an early 17-8 first quarter lead over the 12th seeded rockets. Topper Coach Nestor Trujillo got to clear the bench getting everyone into early action. The Toppers led by 31-23 at half and 46-35 after 3 quarters.
However, the young Goddard team did not give up easily. Goddard started one freshman and only one senior while the Toppers started four seniors. Early on in the 4th quarter the Rockets took advantage of Topper turnovers and outscored the Toppers by 10 points closing the score to 50-49 when Coach Trujillo called time out.
A key steal and basket by Topper senior Ashlyn Trujillo gave the home team a bit of breathing room, but a wild, off-line shot by Rocket Camaryn Villalpando hit the backboard and went in for a three-pointer! With 1:35 left in the game and the Topper lead down to 58-57, Coach Trujillo called another time-out. It was gut-check time for LA.
In the ensuing action Topper senior Kayla Salazar got fouled. With the thin one-point lead Kayla stepped to the free throw line and canned two pressure-packed free throws. After a Rocket free throw Ashlyn Trujillo got fouled and also made two key free throws.
With 5.9 seconds left in the game and behind 62-60, Goddard got cute and tried to roll the ball upcourt, but Topper senior Makaela Jones stole the ball and got fouled on her shot. She also made two key free throws to ice the game.
The Toppers were led in scoring by Ashlynn Trujillo with 18 points; she also had four assists. Point guard, Sofia Roybal, had a great game with 15 points and three steals. Makaela Jones had 12 points and Kayla Salazar had 11 points. Junior Ashley Logan was leading rebounder for LA with six. The Rockets were led in scoring and rebounding by sophomore Camaryn Villalpando with 21 points (18 in the second half) and 10 rebounds.
The Toppers now advance to the quarterfinal round in the state tournament where they will meet district foe Espanola at 4:45 p.m., Tuesday in the Pit.
