Some 112 high schools in the San Diego Section compete in girls basketball. To find the most fierce, most respected rivalry in the section, you need to focus on just two programs: La Jolla Country Day and Mission Hills.
Since the Open Division was created in 2014, 11 championship games have been held. Mission Hills has won four of them, LJCD three. They’ve met in the finals three times, including a Mission Hills win last year, with the Grizzlies holding a 2-1 advantage.
Mission Hills coach Chris Kroesch doesn’t think it’s the best current girls basketball rivalry.
Said Kroesch: “It’s the best rivalry, ever, in San Diego County.”
The rivals met again Tuesday night on the Torreys’ campus and this time Mission Hills dominated, running away with a 63-42 win. The Grizzlies advance to the Open Division championship on Friday night at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, where they’ll face Francis Parker. Parker beat Westview 51-39 on Tuesday night.
Mission Hills lost all five starters off last year’s Open Division championship team. By their standards, the Grizzlies struggled some early and came together late.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever been more proud of a group,” said Kroesch. “We graduated all five starters. We had to learn how to mature. And they did. We had a meeting at lunch and it lasted all of two minutes. I could tell they were locked in.”
Mission Hills wasted no time taking control. The Grizzlies led 15-7 after the first quarter, then stretched the lead to 15 in the second. LJCD made it interesting early in the third quarter, pulling to within eight, 36-28. But the lead soon swelled to 15 again and the Grizzlies weren’t pushed.
The difference in the game was Mission Hills’ balance, its tenacious defense and 3-point shooting.
Four Grizzlies landed in double figures. Maleena Nava, who came in averaging 5.6 points, scored a game-high 16. Lyndsey Rogers, whjo came in averaging 4.7, stepped off the bench to score 13. Bay Cordova and HC Harding each scored 11.
Of Rogers’ effort, Kroesch said, “She’s our glue. She does all the dirty work. She’s tough as nails. And she’s capable of hitting the big shots.”
As for defense, Mission Hills flustered the hosts, forcing 17 turnovers.
“Incredibly impressed with our defense,” said Kroesch. “They were connected. They were able to each other and themselves.”
As for the 3s, Mission Hills was 12 of 32 from deep. LJCD: 3 of 12. Six players hit 3s for the Grizzlies.
“My mindset basically was to play hard, get to the basket, do everything I could to get my teammates open and just play my game,” said Nava. “We knew what was at stake today. Everyone just came out like this was the last game. Keep everything on the floor, play with no regrets.”
Safiyah Sugapong led LJCD with 14 points. Mei-ling Perry added 10.
The season isn’t over for LJCD. All eight Open Division teams advance to the Southern California Regionals.
