Greenfield’s defense proves too much for King City at last Friday’s home game, where the Bruins won 58-44. (Jason Gallardo/Staff)

GREENFIELD — Last season the Greenfield High girls’ basketball team was able to sweep their series with South Monterey County rival King City High, and this year the Bruins extended the winning streak by beating the Mustangs in their first matchup of the season, 58-44.

Entering last Friday’s Cypress League game, the Lady Bruins and Lady Mustangs were the top two teams in the division. The Bruins were riding a six-game winning streak, while the Mustangs had just beaten the Soledad Aztecs.

The last time King City beat Greenfield was back in the 2018-19 season.

Last season the Bruins dominated the Mustangs, and early in Friday’s game that trend would continue as they jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the first quarter. Greenfield’s size was a problem for King City, as they were able to to out-rebound them.

Although the Lady Bruins were able to get off the early lead, they weren’t able to hold it. King City’s Malaya Carrillo scored a couple of three-pointers to give the Lady Mustangs a 15-14 lead in the first quarter. Carrillo finished the game with 11 points.

In the second quarter, the Lady Bruins took back the lead with their ability to out-rebound the Lady Mustangs.

Giving King City the most problems was Greenfield’s Latai Matelau, whose height and size helped her earn a double-double, as they took a 23-20 lead. Matelau finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

In the third quarter, the Lady Mustangs hung around thanks to Sage Flores, who scored 17 points in the game. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, they didn’t have enough offense.

After the Mustangs got within five points halfway through the third, the Bruins’ defense turned up the intensity. Greenfield was able to pull away with help from Yazmin Avalos, who had 10 points.

The Lady Bruins extended their winning streak to three over the Mustangs with the 58-44 win.

Greenfield now moves to 4-0 in league play, while King City is split 2-2.

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Jason Gallardo is the sports reporter for King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune, a unified publication of Greenfield News, Soledad Bee and Gonzales Tribune. He covers high school sports for South Monterey County.

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