Considering she missed 12 games early in her senior season yet has a basketball scholarship to San Jose State in hand, it’s impressive how strong Canyon Crest senior Alisha Eckberg has performed down the stretch.
Some players in her position might just go through the motions.
Not Eckberg, a physical 5-foot-11 forward. The lack of activity while she was nursing an ankle injury only added to her fuel of wanting to make an impact once she was healthy.
Eckberg made her statement in the CIFSDS Division III playoffs, leading the Ravens to three straight victories and into the Southern California Regional playoffs.
The senior scored a career high 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 56-51 win over Our Lady of Peace in the CIFSDS finals, rewarding the Ravens with their first team title in school history in any sport.
Eckberg’s championship game burst came on the heels of pouring in a combined 59 points in victories over Santana (69-38) and Cathedral Catholic (71-60).
“I think beating Cathedral Catholic (in the semifinals) gave me the greatest satisfaction,” Eckberg said. “But sure, I love winning this championship game, too.”
Despite her senior injuries Eckberg has scored more than 1,500 career points.
“I think we were better than a lot of teams seeded ahead of us,” she said.
Now that they’ve proven they are a team to be reckoned with, the Ravens (18-11) will host Inglewood (16-6) in Tuesday’s (Mar. 10) first round of the Southern California Regionals.
Soccer: Horizon saved by Gwin
Horizon goalkeeper Steve Gwin has established a CIFSDS career record for soccer saves. The Panthers’ senior shot blocker has made 787 saves, topping the mark of 761 set by Eastlake’s Matt Sarinas (1993-97).
Girls Basketball: West Hills toasts Miller time
West Hills junior Sherika Miller scored the winning basket with 1.3 seconds remaining, giving the Wolf Pack a 46-44 upset of top-seeded Mount Miguel in the CIFSDS Division II championship. It was West Hills’ first basketball title in the schools 19-year varsity history.
Boys Basketball: Wounded Warrior comes through
El Camino’s Alan Cox, who was not expected to play due to illness, scored 17 points, hitting four 3-pointers, in a 59-45 win over Torrey Pines giving the Warriors the CIFSDS Division I title for the first time since 2004.
Soccer: Falcons alive and kicking
Torrey Pines senior Jose Aquino scored a pair of goals in the Falcons 4-1 win over Escondido in the semifinals, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Westview to win the CIFSDS Division I title.
Other Top Performances
– Junior Michael Fagan of the San Diego Jewish Academy pitched a no-hitter and struck out 19 in the Lions 5-0 season-opening victory over Lutheran. Fagan led the CIFSDS with 181 strikeouts a year ago.
– San Diego Hoover’s Dame Ndiaye had the hot hand, scoring 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 4-of-5 free throws as the Cardinals nailed Oceanside 64-42 to capture the CIFSDS Division II championship.
– Sophomore guard Jen Dumiak of La Costa Canyon tallied 15 points in a 47-33 victory over defending champion Poway, giving the Mavericks their first CIFSDS Division I title.
– El Capitan’s boys basketball team upset Steele Canyon 52-50 to qualify for the CIFSDS Division II semifinals for the first time in 23 years. The celebration was short-lived as the Vaqueros were trounced by top-seeded Hoover four days later.
– Nobody’s paying much attention to unheralded Spring Valley Monte Vista, but the Monarchs have kicked off the CIFSDS softball season undefeated with three wins and a tie.
Coming Attractions
Key baseball games on the docket include a Friday the 13th battle between defending Grossmont South League champion Steele Canyon and Grossmont North League champ Grossmont as part of the Foothiller-Aztec Classic. First pitch is at 3 p.m. at Steele Canyon. Remember, the visiting Foothillers have won four Division II titles in a row.
Dickens Dealings
The unusual rainy weather caused most baseball teams in the CIFSDS to all but abort their winter league activities. A few teams worked in a game or two, while others never got on the field.
So how much does that matter? Most teams have key players participating in winter sports and are not available for winter baseball anyway.
By any account, it makes a handy excuse for teams that get off to a slow start.
Regardless of the Southern California weather, talented players always find a way to look good.
That’s no exception this year.
