At the beginning of the year, Dos Pueblos girls basketball coach Jelani Hicks told his team they would be playing three seasons: pre-league, league and the playoffs.
The Chargers opened the playoff season in rousing fashion on Thursday, routing St.Mary’s Academy 78-55 in a CIF Division 2A opener in Los Angeles.
Dos Pueblos had a good pre-league season, but struggled in Channel League play, winning only two games. Hicks said the struggles during league play prepared his team for the postseason.
“It worked in our favor,” he said. “We learned from the league and are using it to our advantage.”
The Chargers’ high-pressure defense forced numerous St. Mary’s turnovers, which they turned into baskets. They led by 15 after the first period, 43-26 at halftime and 67-39 after three quarters.
Hicks played his bench in the fourth quarter. “Everyone played a lot,” he said.
Talitha Draper led the way for DP with 18 points and nine rebounds. Jessica Escalante had 12 points, four assists and three steals; Jasmine Mata had 12 points, six rebounds and four steals, and Chiara Dimarco had 10 points, four assists and three rebounds.
The Chargers will play either Harvard Westlake or Moorpark on Saturday.
