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It might be over, but not without plenty of fanfare coming to South Pasadena High’s girls’ basketball team, perhaps one of the finest ever in the school’s long history.
“This team has shown resilience and determination throughout the season, consistently competing at a high level,” said SPHS Athletic Director CB Richards after the Tigers fell to Mark Keppel of Alhambra 49-45 on the road Wednesday night in the CIF Southern Section 2AA quarterfinals. “Despite the loss, they fought hard until the end, showcasing their character and teamwork.”
A memorable season which saw the Tigers finish with an overall 26-5 record, including a 10-0 Rio Hondo League mark, has come to an end. South Pasadena held a one point lead, 43-42 with 1:30 left in the game before the Aztecs battled back to take control and hold on for the win.
“They have exceeded expectations and demonstrated their ability to compete against strong opponents,” Richards continued, praising the Tigers. “Their journey in the playoffs reflects their hard work and dedication to the sport.”
Mark Keppel, 21-10 overall, 10-0 in league, continues on in the CIF-SS playoffs to face St. Anthony of Long Beach on Saturday in the semifinals.
Dylan Tse led South Pasadena in scoring with 16 points while teammate Kayla Boozer added 10 on the night along with 17 rebounds. Mark Keppel had three players rack up double figures.
A full house, some 1,500 spectators packed inside Mark Keppel’s gym, added significantly to the atmosphere, testing the Tigers ability to stay calm and collected. “This definitely added an element of pressure on the team, but they showed composure and resilience throughout the match,” added Richards.
Mark Keppel, with its solid girls’ basketball program over the years, led 15-12 after the first quarter, 28-24 at the half, before the Tigers fought back to tie it 36 all at the end of the third period, opening it up for a dogfight for the two teams down the stretch.
“One reason why this team is so good is their balanced scoring and the contributions of players like Dylan Tse and Kayla Boozer,” explained Richards. “The team’s excellence can be attributed to its dedicated coaching staff and the outstanding defensive performances of players like Maddie Park and Jaime Kim. The coaches’ commitment to player development and strategic planning has played a significant role in the team’s success. Moreover, the defensive skills exhibited by players such as Park and Kim have been pivotal in limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities and securing crucial stops during games.”
Richards stressed the Tigers fought hard until the end, showcasing strong character and teamwork. “I feel proud of this team for their accomplishments in reaching the quarterfinals of the playoffs in Division 2AA,” he said. “They have high expectations and demonstrated their ability to compete against strong opponents. Their journey in the playoffs reflects their hard work and dedication to the sport.”
