Story & Photos by Zoe Chen
Sports Editor & Staff Photographer
Girls’ basketball played Temple City on Friday, Jan. 31, while Pep celebrated their Community Spirit Night. The Tigers, rebounding from a recent loss to La Cañada, pummelled the Rams 65-35. South Pasadena now ranks first in the Rio Hondo League.
Both teams got off to a slow start during the majority of the first quarter as they sized up their respective opponent. South Pasadena put up a strong defense and swatted away Temple City shots, but the Rams guarded Tiger players well and prevented useful passes. The teams chased each other up and down the court for long minutes with no point gain.
Freshman point guard Jayda Nakagawa scored a three-pointer with two minutes remaining in the first period, giving the Tigers an 8-7 advantage. Senior shooting guard Kayla Boozer expertly rebounded the ball for the Tigers, and senior point guard Mia Leach followed with another three. South Pasadena had doubled their score in the span of 40 seconds and led 16-7.
With 1:30 left in the period, Temple City then did the same, almost doubling their point tally from 7 to 13. The first quarter closed 17-13 with the Tigers on top.
Sophomore guard Kara Wang scored a two-pointer 10 seconds into the second period, and Boozer, after intercepting a pass, sank a three-pointer to bring the Tigers’ advantage up to 22-13. From there, South Pasadena’s lead only grew.
“We did a really good job on defense and not letting them score on us,” Nakagawa said. “This was for sure a really spirited game, and that really helped us out.”
South Pasadena relied heavily on Boozer’s rebounds; Boozer, 6’1” and ranked 39 in the nation for points per game, towered over other Temple City players and consistently regained possession of the ball. The Tigers guarded Ram players solidly. When the Rams did take possession, their lack of open players tested the limitations of the shot clock.

Leach and junior point guard Madeline Park continued to score points for the Tigers. After a steal that left Temple City surprised, Park charged downcourt unguarded for a two-pointer. South Pasadena led 28-14. Temple City then shot an air ball.
The Tigers shot four free throws in the final minute of the half. Senior point guard Katie Chung’s three-pointer in the final seconds of the period was met with roaring cheers from the packed home crowd.
Elementary school kids in the district performed with Pep during halftime as part of Pep Community Spirit Night. The kids and their families contributed to the energetic, animated home crowd, and the gym filled with cheers after almost every Tiger shot, rebound, free throw, or steal.
“I think it [the crowd’s energy] definitely set into our play and everything, including our bench energy. Usually it’s not that good, but with the help of like all those kids it radiated off onto us and really helped us out,” Leach said.

Temple City stepped up their game in the third quarter, but not enough to give themselves the lead — only enough to avoid falling any further behind. Park had multiple steals and, too far ahead of the scrambling Ram players, was the star of the court as she sank two-pointers. Boozer continued to score two-pointers, and when she missed, she would snatch the ball and take another attempt. The Rams, meanwhile, took advantage of far passes and bounce shots. The Tigers led 42-23 with three minutes remaining in the third period.
Park intercepted a Temple City pass and handed the ball to Boozer, who scored another two-pointer. A final three from Park ended the period 54-28 in South Pasadena’s favor.
Temple City, unable to control the ball, ran down their shot clock no fewer than three times during the final eight-minute period. Boozer, Leach, and Park scored the bulk of South Pasadena’s points. By the four-minute mark, South Pasadena led 60-33.


A clean pass from senior guard Vienna Tan to Boozer positioned Boozer for a three-pointer, which she made.
“I think we passed the ball really well and a lot of people were able to score which we don’t have every game,” Boozer said. “We were really clear as a team and we didn’t rush anything.”
Boozer, grinning, jumped feet off the ground to score a final two-pointer with 30 seconds remaining. Temple City ran down their shot clock, which was now almost synced with the period clock, one final time. The Tigers won the game by exactly 30 points, 65-35.
“Hopefully finishing off league season, people will come support our games and feed into our energy like how those kids did today,” Leach said.
Basketball will next face Monrovia on the road on Monday, Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m.
