Story by Zoe Chen
Sports Editor
Photos by Emiko Essmiller
Photography Editor
Girls’ basketball played Mark Keppel in their second round of CIF Southern Section Division 3AA playoffs. Despite a dominant 77-48 Tiger first-round blowout win, the Aztecs entirely overpowered the Tigers in the next game. South Pasadena trailed the entire game and lost by a tough 51 points.
Mark Keppel beat South Pasadena girls’ basketball by four points in the Quarter Final last season, cutting short a promising playoff run. The Tigers entered this year’s game hoping for a stronger rematch. They didn’t get it.
South Pasadena won the tip-off, per usual, by senior center Kayla Boozer. As they typically do, the Tigers spent the first minute of the game attempting to read their opponent’s strategy and find their own footing. However, in those vital first minutes, the game took a turn from anything South Pasadena had experienced during the season.
Mark Keppel’s defense was exceptionally aggressive, and their ability to sink three-pointers was remarkable. Their one-on-one defense got up close and personal with each Tiger player, and the Aztecs grabbed the ball straight out of the Tigers’ hands seconds after the tip-off.
Keppel charged downcourt and scored a smooth three-pointer. Boozer took the ball, but the Aztecs somehow managed to snatch the ball straight from her controlled dribble. Mark Keppel sank more shots. South Pasadena failed to reciprocate, partly due to their own shaky shots and partly due to Mark Keppel’s strength in swatting Tiger shots right out of the air.
The Aztecs’ defensive capabilities were stunning. Only two minutes into the game, Keppel led 15-0.
Senior point guard Mia Leach gained the Tigers their first points with a three-pointer from the corner. Sophomore guard Kara Wang rebounded and scored a two as South Pasadena trailed 15-5. These two shots would make up almost a quarter of the Tigers’ entire point total.
Mark Keppel continued to score three-pointers from the corner, repeatedly catching South Pasadena’s scattered and scrambling defense off guard. Keppel easily predicted South Pasadena’s offensive intentions and often prevented the Tigers from even nearing their own hoop. When an opportunity for South Pasadena to shoot did arise, the players hesitated before firing the ball. That split-second pause gave the ready Aztecs just enough time to jump to block the shot. The first period closed 27-10 for the Aztecs. Mark Keppel had gained more points in the first quarter than South Pasadena would in the entire game.
Any hope of a mid-game Tiger motivation boost fell as the Aztecs opened the second quarter with another three points. South Pasadena’s own falling morale caused the few unguarded shots they took to bounce off the rim or backboard. Keppel continued to take advantage of the Tigers’ unobtrusive defense. Their flawless three-pointers, in combination with South Pasadena’s lack of point gain, ended the second quarter 46-15 for the Aztecs. The Tigers had all but crumbled.
The Aztecs’ two-pointers, three-pointers, rebounds, steals, blocks, and passes were all excellent. The Tigers improved at blocking Aztec shots, but any attempts barely made a dent in the Aztecs’ lead. With three minutes left in the third quarter, South Pasadena, perhaps accepting the loss or maybe attempting to change the court dynamic, switched out all five of their starting players. By the end of the quarter, Mark Keppel led 64-21.
South Pasadena gained zero points in the game’s final quarter. The Aztecs, unfazed by the Tigers’ attempts to defend, continued to sink shot after shot without hesitation. The game ended with a lopsided 72-21 Aztec score. With the final buzzer, South Pasadena was knocked out of the playoffs by Mark Keppel for the second consecutive year.
Mark Keppel then went on to easily win its Quarter and Semi Final matchups by 30-point margins. After a 49-39 Aztec win in the Final, Keppel was crowned as the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA champion. The Aztecs advanced to the CIF State Division II playoffs, where they were knocked out in the second round 41-37.
Despite the tough Mark Keppel loss, South Pasadena had a strong 2024–25 season and placed first in the Rio Hondo League. Notably, the Tigers had a 10-game win streak in December and defeated Blair by a whopping 92-7 in late January.
Key seniors included Boozer, who led the team in almost all stats and averaged 24.7 points per game, and Leach, who showcased strong three-pointers and assists. Junior Madeline Park, sophomores Ella Go and Wang, and freshman Jayda Nakagawa have played important roles this season and will return next year. A successful 2025–26 season is on the horizon.
