Girls Basketball: Granada Defeats Amador Valley

Granada 52, Amador Valley 43,

The Star: Jennifer Plantenga dominated the paint throughout the game, notching 21 points and 13 rebounds.  In the backcourt, Theresa Keaney carried the Matadors down the home stretch, hitting 10 of 11 free throws, most of which came in the fourth quarter. 

The Turning Point: Granada led the game from start to finish, but with just over five minutes remaining in the game, Keaney drove to the basket, finished and drew the foul just before the shot clock buzzer sounded. She would hit the ensuing free throw and give her side a 13-point lead, which provided them just enough cushion to withstand the furious finish.

The Quote: “I’m very proud of how this team rose up after we were shorthanded,” said Granada coach John Radecke of his team’s performance after losing senior star McKenna Daly to a concussion.

What’s Next: Granada hosts California on Tuesday, while Amador Valley will travel to Monte Vista.

Bottom Line: A flurry of early fouls helped take the Dons out of their rhythm early, as the Matadors held them to 13 first half points. Despite relentless full-court defense in the second half, the early deficit was too much for the home team to overcome.

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Amador Valley spent the better part of 32 minutes chasing Granada all over the floor, but it would not be enough, as the Matadors escaped with a 52-43 road win Friday night. 

Senior forward Jennifer Plantenga controlled the interior all night, posting 21 points and 13 rebounds, leading all players in both categories.

The game was tight early, as Plantenga and frontcourt mate McKenna Daly gave the Dons fits down low while Amador Valley guards Ariah Mack and Nisha Kale appeared to be running circles around the Granada backcourt.

The tone of the game shifted when Daly hit her head on the floor going after a loose ball and was forced to leave the game with a concussion.

After losing their star player, the Matadors might have been expected to falter, but the game ironically shifted decidedly in their favor. 

“Amador is very good and I told our team that if we didn’t bring it, we’d be done,” said Granada coach John Radecke.

They would rip off a 14-0 run and subject Amador Valley to a five-and-a-half minute scoring drought that would just barely be disrupted by Ariah Mack’s jumper just before the halftime buzzer.

Although the Matadors’ run was fueled by stout defense, it didn’t hurt that they found themselves in the double bonus shooting free throws with just two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

“We were frustrated with the refs early on,” explained Amador Valley coach Elizabeth Stanley.  “We weren’t moving the ball well, especially since our defense usually fuels our offense.”

Down 27-13 and plagued by foul trouble at the intermission, Amador Valley appeared to down for the count, but apparently someone forgot to tell them. 

After they fell behind by 17 points just a minute into the third quarter, the Dons — led by Mack and Kale — unleashed a relentless full court defensive attack that would last through the game’s final seconds. 

“I knew they had to come at us,” said Radecke, who was not surprised at all by Amador Valley’s intensity.

And come they did.

The full court pressure yielded some key turnovers, slowed the Matadors’ offensive pace, and — perhaps most importantly — afforded the Dons some much needed confidence on offense. With restored motivation, Mack and Kale began attacking the basket repeatedly, helping them swing the referees’ favor back to their side.

“I thought we got all the calls in the first half and then in the second half it seemed things were going their way,” explained Radecke. “It’s very physical.  That’s how this league is, so we’re used to it.”

Nevertheless, Plantenga proved to be too much for the Dons and Matadors guard Theresa Keaney sealed the result, sinking 10 of 11 free throws and finishing with 20 points.

Free throws ended up playing a significant role for both teams, as Amador Valley shot 12-26 and Granada 26-39.

Despite the losing effort, Amador Valley’s future looks bright.

Never mind that there is just a single senior on the roster, the Dons’ most dynamic player — the pint-sized Mack — paced the team in points and rebounds, with 19 and 9, respectively. 

Much to the chagrin of Radecke and every coach in the league, she is only a freshman.

“She’s very coachable and likeable, and she wants to do well for her team,” said coach Stanley.

With efforts like tonight’s Amador Valley fans can expect her to do well for them for the next few years.

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Granda 52, Amador Valley 43

1

2

3

4

F

Granada

11

16

9

16

52

Amador Valley

8

5

11

19

43

Individuals — (fg ftm-fta tp)

Granada

Platenga 7 7-12  21, Keaney 4  10-11  20, Lutz  5-8  5, Naylor 1 2-4 5, Preece 1  1-2  3, Silver 1-2 1. Totals 14  26-39  52.

Amador Valley

Mack 7  2-2  19, Wagner 3  4-8  10, Ketner 1  1-4  3, Graves 1  1-4 3, Kale  3-4  3, Seams  1-4  1. Totals 12  12-26  43.

3-point goals: Granada 3 (Keaney 2, Lutz 1), Amador Valley 3 (Mack 3).

Fouled out: Amador Valley Seams, Ketner.

Records: Granada 12-2, 2-0 EBAL; Amador Valley 9-4, 0-2 EBAL