Idaho Statesman - Athlete of the week

Varsity Extra athletes of the week (Feb. 8-13)

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sofia Huerta, Centennial: The junior provided 10 points and six rebounds in the Patriots' victory against Boise in the 5A District Three championship game on Friday, but her defensive effort helped turn the table in her team's favor. She also had six steals to help Centennial end Boise's undefeated run at 22 games. Centennial (21-2) opens the state tournament at 6:15 p.m. Thursday against Meridian (16-7) at the Idaho Center in Nampa. Boise (22-1) opens against defending champion Coeur d'Alene (19-4) at 3 p.m.

Extracted from Idaho Statesman at http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2010/02/15/jzentz/varsity_extra_athletes_week_feb_813

2009-2010 District III Champions

Boise High girls are unbeaten no more
Centennial hands the Braves their first loss of the season in the 5A District Three title game.

extracted from Idaho Statesman at http://www.idahostatesman.com/1281/story/1078768.html

BY JESSE ZENTZ - jzentz@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2010 Idaho Statesman
Published: 02/13/10

"We can beat Boise."

That was Centennial senior Taylor Hagood talking the talk last weekend.

On Friday night, the Patriots walked the walk and defended their 5A District Three championship with a 44-39 overtime victory against the previously unbeaten Braves at Timberline. Boise (22-1) handed Centennial (21-2) its two losses during the regular season.

"We beat them and we knew we could, so it doesn't come as a surprise to us," said Centennial junior Sofia Huerta, who finished with 10 points, six rebounds and six steals. "We just have to remember we won districts, and that's all good, but state's a lot more important."

Both teams advanced to the state tournament, which begins next Thursday at Nampa's Idaho Center. Boise opens against defending champion Coeur d'Alene (19-4) at 3 p.m., and Centennial opens against Meridian (16-7) at 6:15 p.m.

"Winning district is a great experience for them," Centennial coach Emery Roy said. "If you lose, you have second thoughts, but if you win going into state, you have a lot of confidence going."

Against Boise, it didn't look like the Patriots were suffering from a lack of confidence. Despite getting hammered 44-24 on the boards and shooting 0-for-17 from 3-point range, Centennial turned to its high-pressure defense and turned the tables on the Braves by winning the turnover battle 18-7. Centennial also made 16-of-25 free throws against 2-of-6 for Boise.

"We pressed the whole game," Huerta said. "That was the plan from the beginning and it worked. It's awesome to set a goal, to do something and achieve it. To finally beat them, it felt great."

Centennial junior Jessica Rutter and sophomore Sierrna Short each scored 13 points to lead Centennial's offense.

"We're a fast team, but we struggle in the height area," said Rutter, who also had six rebounds and four steals. "Even though they outrebounded us, we outhustled them."

Boise was in position to win the game at the end of regulation, but a shot by senior Jordin Juker at the buzzer didn't find the bottom of the net. Juker scored 11 points and added eight rebounds, but the Braves were lead by Jacqueline Luna-Castro's 12 points and 13 rebounds.

"I told them it's OK to be disappointed with the outcome, but I said, 'You can't be disappointed with your effort,' " Boise coach Kim Brydges said. "I really felt like they did the things we asked them to do and they played hard. We're going to learn from it and we're going to get better."

Centennial, Boise and Meridian will be joined at state by District Three rival Eagle (16-7), which plays Highland (20-3) at 1:15 p.m. Thursday. A fifth District Three team - Mountain View (14-10) - plays Madison (11-13) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Twin Falls in a state play-in game. The winner advances to play Lewiston (19-2) at 8 p.m. Thursday.

"When you get to state, there are eight teams left and every team is there because they want the trophy at the end," Brydges said. "It doesn't matter who you play, all eight teams want it."