The Miami High School junior varsity girls basketball team continues to gain valuable experience this season, and the matchup on Saturday, Jan. 10 against the Lady Bulldogs from Safford High School was another step in that growth process.
From the opening tip, the Lady Vandals were tested by Safford’s fast, tough, and scrappy defense. Despite the pressure, Miami showed flashes of hustle and determination throughout the game. Early on, Jazmine Chacon came up with a nice steal, setting the tone for Miami’s effort on the defensive end.
Offense was hard to come by against the Bulldogs’ pressure, and at halftime Miami trailed 23-6. Still, the Lady Vandals came out of the locker room ready to compete in the second half. Safford opened the third quarter with back-to-back three-pointers, but Miami responded with one of its own as Xandri Thompson knocked down a three to answer right back.
Defensively, Marielle Marina provided a highlight moment in the third quarter with a big block that stopped a promising drive by the Lady Bulldogs. Plays like that showed Miami’s willingness to battle despite the score. After three quarters, the Lady Bulldogs led 47-11, and Safford went on to secure a 59-14 victory.
Thompson led the Lady Vandals with seven points, while Marina added five points to go along with her strong defensive play. Danica Valenzuela chipped in two points to round out the scoring for Miami.
While the scoreboard didn’t reflect it, growth remains the focus for this young Miami squad. Head coach Chris Goss emphasized that point after the game, noting that the Lady Vandals are still very much in the development stage, with several freshmen who are new to the game.
“We are going to continue to learn, get better and develop,” Goss said. “We will get better as the season goes along.”
With that mindset and continued effort, the Lady Vandals are building a foundation that will pay off both later this season and in the years to come.
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