Staff Writer
Photos by Tucker Judkins
The South Pasadena girls’ basketball took on Pasadena Polytechnic Tuesday night, coming out of the game with a lopsided 61-22 non conference win. The team is now a respectable 9-1 on the season.
The girls tipped off the game with a pair of Elise Takahama free throws. The Tigers’ offense was working methodically, outscoring the Panthers 20-6 in the first quarter highlighted by a senior Lexie Scholtz steal and score.
Keeping the pressure on the Panthers, Scholtz knocked down a quick five points after making a three pointer then grabbing another steal on the next possession. The girls didn’t stop there, ending the half with 18 field goals, and dominating the paint. The Tigers were in front at halftime with a score of 44-6.
At the start of the third quarter, South Pas began to ease off the scoring and dig in on defense.Taking out key difference makers Takahama, Scholtz, and senior Sophia Hathaway, coach Tammy Lai allowed the bench play the third quarter without their captains and see how well they could do by themselves.The girls kept up their offensive attack when sophomore Jalynne Li took a jumper. Freshman Maddy Saito then took a two point floater ending the third quarter up 54-14.
In the fourth quarter, the girls continued to ease off on both sides of the ball. Poly finally took advantage of this and began to get more physical, holding the Tigers to only seven points all quarter. Despite this, the Panthers could only muster up eight of their own, putting the final score at 61-22 after Li ended the game with a three point play after being fouled.
“(We told ourselves) don’t let up and play hard the whole entire game and keep up the intensity,” senior Taryn Kayo said. “It was a good prepping game for our next match and just a good chance to play everyone and work on fundamentals offensively and defensively.”
