The matchup between the top two Central California Conference girls basketball teams attracted a big crowd and had the intensity of a prize fight. It was El Capitan High winning round one as the Gauchos handed the defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division II champions Atwater a 56-42 defeat on Tuesday night at the Stable Center.

 

El Capitan was led in scoring by Jordynn Middleton, who scored 14 points to go along with six rebounds and five steals. Teammate Rayonn Maxie added 11 points and senior Mady Dietz did a little of everything as she finished with eight points, five assists, six rebounds and seven steals. The Gauchos also celebrated a milestone in the first quarter as senior Avnoor Bains surpassed 1,000 career points.

 

The Gauchos extended their winning streak to nine consecutive games and improved to 18-2 overall on the season and 3-0 in the CCC. The Gauchos are currently ranked No. 4 in Division II and No. 7 overall in the Sac-Joaquin Section rankings by MaxPreps. 

 

Dietz says she and her teammates knew this wasn’t a normal CCC game. “It was a lot tougher,” Deitz said. “We knew we would have to be mentally and physically strong in this game because we knew they would come out punching us really hard so we had to handle the physicality and limit our turnovers.”

 

It was a game played from start to finish at a rapid tempo with both teams pressing full court. After both teams shared the CCC title last year they knew what was at stake in this matchup. “I know every time we play Atwater it’s competitive so I know they really wanted this game,” said El Capitan coach Adam Her. “Coach JR does a really good job of pushing the girls over there so we knew it wouldn’t come easy. Last year our girls overcame a hurdle and this year they are in a great position to win another one.”

The game was tied 12-12 early in the second quarter when the Gauchos put together an 11-1 run to open up a 23-13 lead. Maxie scored four points and Bains drained a 3-pointer during that stretch. The Falcons played the Gauchos pretty even the rest of the way, but could never get the lead inside of six points to put any real pressure on El Capitan. Natalia Melgoza paced the Falcons with 14 points and Riley Leonardo added 11 points. 

 

Atwater coach JR Davis thought his team played well but there were mistakes they can learn from. With a roster that includes three freshmen, it was the first big-game atmosphere some of his players have been in. Davis said he felt his team played well but there was definitely room for improvement for when they face the Gauchos a second time. “For the most part we have to help ourselves out by making baskets,” said Davis, whose team fell to 11-9 overall and 2-1 in the CCC. 

 

The Gauchos knew their keys to success was controlling the boards and handling the Falcons press. “We knew we had to rebound and limit their second-chance points,” Dietz said. “Then we knew we were going to press. It was a game about who could control the press.”

 

Dietz did a great job of setting up her teammates for easy baskets. At key moments in the second half she would drive into the paint and dish the ball to a waiting teammate near the basket for easy points. “That’s a part of her game that probably doesn’t get recognized enough,” Her said. “When you think of Mady Dietz, you think of her as a dynamic scorer, but she does so many little things for us well. She’s a great rebounder, she gets a lot of steals and she can facilitate and does a great job at that as well.”

 

There was no big celebration for the Gauchos after the win because they know they have a lot more work to do if they want to win the CCC championship again. “We have to keep playing hard, keep making the right play every single time,” Dietz said. “We did well the first time we played the two strong teams, but we’re going to see them again and we have got to be ready.”

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.