Last second shot rims out, Yellowjackets lose to Rebels, 33-31

Back and forth game gives Colton their first challenge of the young season

Olivia Torres

Savannah Govea checks in on teammate Naomi Ontiveros during the fourth quarter of the Yellowjackets 33-31 loss to AB Miller.

Colton, CA—The Lady Yellowjackets had the chance to send their game against the AB Miller Rebels to overtime on a last second shot by Naomi Ontiveros, but came up short, losing this nailbiter 33-31 for their second loss of the season.

The Yellowjackets came into the game 6-1 after placing third at the Fohi Fest tournament last week in Fontana. Led by Savannah Govea, who is averaging 20 points per game, the team were confident and primed to pick up where they left off after the Thanksgiving break.

Govea scored 18 of the team’s 31 points and had 5 steals, with Ontiveros adding 6 points and a team high 6 rebounds.

After three back-and-forth quarters, in which neither team led by more than 5 points, the fourth quarter was low scoring, but tense affair. Both teams attacked, but the tension led to a series of fouls and turnovers. The Rebels’ two best players, both struggling with foul trouble all game, fouled out with under two minutes remaining, which put the Yellowjackets in a prime position to strike.

However, the intensity of the moment led to a string of possessions ending on either turnovers, desperate shot attempts, or ill-advised passes as the players struggled to rise to the moment.

“I just feel as though the girls weren’t mentally ready for last night’s game,” head coach Keisha Young said. “We were the better team, however the Rebels were the hungrier team. They played with a purpose.”

The Yellowjackets are now 6-2 on the season after two weeks of play, their best start in over a decade. They will get the opportunity to shake off this loss on Wednesday with a home game against Lucerne Valley. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

 

Notes

The JV girls team, led by Alejandra Flores with 6 points, defeated the AB Miller JV squad 32-13. Their next game will be against Lucerne Valley on Wednesday at 4 p.m.