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For someone who is a stickler for defense and intensity, Johnson coach Stephanie Desmarais did not like seeing Lee getting to every loose ball early in their game on Friday.
She let her team know about it, and the Jaguars responded with a big second quarter that carried them to a 68-57 victory at Littleton Gym.
“We got way behind,” said Desmarais, whose team trailed 14-6 after the first quarter. “The intensity level went up on the defensive end, and we were able to generate some turnovers and be off to the races. That’s the kind of game we like to play.”
The second-ranked Jaguars (30-4, 10-1) clinched at least a share of the District 26-6A championship. Johnson can secure their third-straight outright championship with a victory against Reagan in its regular-season finale on Tuesday.
“I’m very happy,” Desmarais said. “That’s always a goal early in the year – to be district champs. I won’t rest until that final game. I’m proud of the girls.”
A huge second quarter jettisoned Johnson as the Jaguars outscored Lee, 29-15. Senior guard Megan Valdez-Crader scored 14 of her 16 points in the second quarter.
“Our defense triggered our offense,” Valdez-Crader said. “ In the second quarter, we focused on blocking out and rebounding.”
Lee (15-14, 7-4) led 21-12 at the 4:51 mark of the second quarter before the Jaguars went on a 23-8 run to take a 35-29 halftime lead.
Freshman guard Deja Kelly led all scorers with 26 points. She had 17 in the second half.
“I did a better job of attacking the basket more, being more aggressive and attacking the defenders’ hips, getting into them and behind able to finish in the second half,” Kelly said.
Johnson led by as many as 14 at the 4:07 mark of the fourth quarter. Lee made a late charge by making three-straight treys (two by Blanca DeLeon and one by Jenesis Navarro) that pulled the Volunteers to within 60-55 with 2:47 remaining.
Johnson sealed it by finishing with an 8-2 run. Kelly made 5 of 6 free throws in that stretch. DeLeon had 22 points, while Navarro had 15 and Leslie Velten 12.
“Lee is a great team,” Desmarais said. “… they play with a lot of heart and a lot of passion.”
dhinojosa@express-news.net
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