GREENFIELD — After losing four games in a row, the Greenfield Bruin girls’ basketball team has bounced back, winning six straight games and earning a 2-0 league record so far in the Cypress Division.
Coming into the season, many wondered how the Lady Bruins would replace the production of all-league player Jessica Rodriguez and last year’s MVP Linda Ornelas.
They have found their answer with Yasmin Avalos and Latai Matelau, as they were huge factors in picking up the two league wins.
The Lady Bruins started the season 1-4, but four of these opponents made the playoffs last year. Since the game with Escondido that they won 54-19, the Lady Bruins haven’t looked back, winning six straight games.
With league play starting up, the Bruins are a favorite to win a second league title as they made early statements by dominating their two league games.
To start the week, the Lady Bruins had a match with the Soledad Aztecs, who beat Carmel, a team who Greenfield lost to early in the season. The Lady Aztecs, who have improved from a season ago, had a good shot of winning the Cypress Division.
But Avalos had a career high of 21 points to give the Bruins their first league win, 51-39. It wasn’t just Avalos getting in on the scoring. Last year’s Defensive Player of the Year Ariana Villagomez also scored 10 points.
Last year Matelau was a huge part of helping the Bruins bring home Greenfield High School’s first basketball title. And, if the Bruins want to repeat, she will have to dominate down low.
In their second league game of the week against St. Francis, Matelau did just that. In the Bruins’ 37-23 win, Matelau had another double-double as she had 20 points and 14 rebounds.
The Bruins will be back in action this week as they host Marina on Tuesday, after press deadlines.
