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It took Juan Diego nearly seven minutes to convert a field goal, but once the rims opened up — the Eagle couldn't miss in their 67-56 win against Judge Memorial on the Bulldogs' home court on Tuesday evening.
"That's our MO this year. We're trying to get up 30 threes a game. I tell the girls: 'We're the Golden State Warriors of girls' basketball,' " said Juan Diego coach Josh Archuleta. "We don't have the size this year, but we have girls that are committed, and they're all real solid shooters. They know to keep pushing and let it go."
Competitive games in the sophomore and junior varsity games, paired with a foul-laden contest in the freshman match, delayed the original start time 90 minutes. The later tip seemed to disrupt rhythm, and it took nearly a quarter for either team to discover consistency.
Juan Diego's first field goal hit the net at 1:22 in the first quarter — a triple by Mia Berengeur, to whittle Judge's early advantage to 11-10. The Eagle led 12-11 after the first eight minutes, despite the lone field goal, with Ann Nelson and Berengeur combining for eight points at the charity stripe.
Both teams found their groove in the second. Juan Diego (5-3) created offense with an emphasis to working inside-out with Ann Nelson, who was outsized on the block, which forced Judge Memorial to bunker in support and thus created space to operate on the perimeter. But an extended press also flustered the Bulldogs and the Eagle led 34-27 at halftime.
Judge Memorial (2-3) utilized Vanessa Austin (6-foot-2), whose size advantage allowed her to establish the lower block. Juan Diego, despite exhausting two or three defenders on each touch, did little to agitate Austin, who nearly single-handedly kept her team afloat.
Brynn Drummond, who despite her hot hand was left all by her self on the wing, put the Eagle up 50-37 late in the third quarter with an uncontested 3-pointer. Judge Memorial threatened momentarily afterward, with Mayree Ellis slicing the deficit to 60-54. The Bulldogs squandered two ensuing opportunities — a rimmed layup and a missed look from 3 — which allowed Nelson to push the lead back to six points with two free throws on the opposite end. Juan Diego struggled from the line throughout the first three quarters, but continued to connect when it mattered most.
"It's like a turnover if you go 0 for 2," Archuleta said. "All season, we're about 50 percent. We're trying to get to that 75 mark. They're still working at it, and I'm proud of them. It's definitely a hard win to come in here against your rival."
Juan Diego now has wins against Granger (5A), Salem Hills (4A) and Judge (4A), all higher-enrollment programs, in the preseason. The Eagle lost several key members from their undefeated 2014-15 championship squad, but the quality wins leave the impression the program will again be in the thick of the postseason.
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Storylines
R After 90-minute delay, Juan Diego heats up in win against rival Judge Memorial.
• Juan Diego registers third win against higher-enrollment program in the preseason.
• The Soaring Eagle led 12-11 after the first quarter despite going seven minutes without a field goal.