The Tigers overcome sloppy start with win against TC Rams

Carlton Lew: Staff Writer

After riding a five-game losing streak into the beginning of the season, the girls basketball team have catapulted themselves from defeat into 3rd place in the Rio Hondo League with a record of 5-4.

The dramatic turn-around revitalized the team’s hope of qualifying for CIF, a feat that seemed unlikely in the beginning of the season. At the start of their winter campaign, the girls suffered losses to La Cañada and Blair instantly dropping their record to 0-2. “Starting with two losses was depressing, but we got back up,” junior captain Kelsey Lee said. “We didn’t have anything to lose,” she added.

On Tuesday, the Tigers came one step closer to qualifying for CIF with a 54-42 victory over Monrovia, avenging a loss to the Wildcats earlier in the season. Lee led the team with 13 points in the game. If the girls can defeat San Marino today, it will propel them into the CIF.

“They’re always tough and they’ve been playing well, which is a concern,” head coach Ralph Punaro said of San Marino. “If we play them like we did against Monrovia we have a good shot,” he added.

The girls ended the first round of league with a victory against San Marino, which set the tone for a second round of success. Another victory followed, with the Tigers defeating the Titans 56-49. Despite a heartbreaking loss against La Cañada, a favorite to win the Rio Hondo league title, the Tigers managed a sizable victory against Temple City, winning 53-27. Senior captain Kimberly Hu currently leads the team in rebounds averaging 4.6 per game.

The Tigers will face San Marino today at 7:00, which will close the second round of the season. Because the girls already have a Titan victory under their belts, they approach tonight’s game with confidence. “We are confident that we will smash San Marino and make it onto CIF breaking the curse of losing in the first round along the way,” Hu said.