Basketball Recap: Ivorii Seals' Big Game Can't Quite Lead Mira Mesa over Scripps Ranch

Mira Mesa has been a dominant force so far, but they're in the middle of a mini-slump at the moment. They were five points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 52-47 heartbreaker at the hands of the Scripps Ranch Falcons. The Marauders lost against the Falcons in their previous head to head back in December of 2023, too, but the margin this time around was much closer than the 72-36 score last time.

Mira Mesa lost on Friday despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Ivorii Seals, who dropped a double-double on 11 points and ten rebounds. That's the most boards Seals has posted since back in January of 2024. Ke'Ajanay Edwards was another key player, putting up six points and ten rebounds.

Even though they lost, Mira Mesa smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 12 offensive rebounds in four consecutive matchups.

Scripps Ranch's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Clare Valentine, who went 9 of 21 on her way to 26 points and eight rebounds. That makes it four consecutive games in which Valentine has scored at least a third of Scripps Ranch's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Katrina Purcell, who posted ten points along with six boards and three blocks.

Mira Mesa's defeat dropped their record down to 13-4. As for Scripps Ranch, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 8-5.

Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps California Rankings. Mira Mesa (ranked 404th) will meet Cathedral Catholic (ranked 68th) at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Similarly, Scripps Ranch (ranked 355th) will meet Otay Ranch (ranked 162nd) at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday.