Colton, CA—For the Lady Yellowjackets, the 2023-2024 season has been a “Magical History Tour” as the team has continued to shatter the school record books. Most wins, first league title, and now first CIF playoff win.
On Thursday night the Yellowjackets defeated Nogales High School 63-32, advancing to the second round of the division 5AA playoffs where they will play Desert Hot Springs High School.
“I tell the girls that we are history makers this season,” said head coach Keisha Young after the game. “We’re not just players. We’re history makers.”
The Yellowjackets came out with a balanced attack, led by big Jasmine Jimenez, point guard Savannah Govea, and wing Naomi Ontiveros. Jimenez impressed with a double-double, scoring 16 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. Govea dropped 19 points, 6 assists and 6 steals on Nogales. And Ontiveros fired up her teammates with a 14 point, 6 steal performance.
Unlike their league tournament final against Notre Dame, the Yellowjackets came out loose and ready to attack Nogales. Forward Olivia Torres got the task of guarding Nogales’ sophomore standout Jordin Glass, sticking to her all night and holding her to two points.
The solid defensive performance gave the offense plenty of opportunity to go to work. In the first half, Jimenez did most of her damage, scoring 14 points, leading the Yellowjackets to a 28-20 halftime lead.
In the second half, Colton caught fire from beyond the three-point line, knocking down seven three pointers. Ontiveros hit three of them, including two that took the fight out of Nogales. And, as though she were channeling the spirit of the WNBA’s Sabrina Ionescu, Govea hit two threes from 25-feet out.
Winning a CIF playoff game always has special meaning for the players, and playing well makes it even sweeter. For Ontiveros, putting together a great performance in such an important game was extra special for her. Because of work, her parents are not always able to see her games, but for this one they were in the audience and the sophomore was overjoyed to play so well in front of them.
“I just wanted to make my parents proud,” she said. “Make it worth it. And I think I accomplished that.”
Jimenez was shocked by her performance. “I didn’t even know I scored that much,” she said. “It’s the highest I’ve ever scored.”
Now the Yellowjackets take on Desert Hot Springs, who defeated Mesa Grande 56-32 on Thursday. The game will take place at Desert Hot Springs High on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:00 p.m.
