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Shannon Fitzgerald made her coach proud by the way she competed during Priory’s 74-33 victory over visiting Summit Shasta in the quarterfinals of the Central Coast Section girls Division V playoffs on Tuesday night.
One of a handful of seniors who come off the bench for coach Buck Matthews, Fitzgerald hit a pair of 3-pointers, scored eight points and grabbed a few rebounds to help the top-seeded Panthers (13-12) maintain their comfortable advantage while the starters were able to grab some rest.
“She’s been here since the beginning,” Matthews said. “It’s really nice to see her get extended minutes and play so well.”
The Black Bears (18-6) fell behind early but did make a few runs. Fitzgerald and fellow seniors Anna Barton, Kara Reiss and Annie Boyle were there to make sure Priory maintained control.
Of course, it’s good to have senior starters such as post Ila Lane, the future UC Santa Barbara Gaucho, who scored 22 points, and Gabby Ruiz, who added six points, a lot of tough rebounds and leadership.
Sophomore Aniyah Augmon, who transferred to Priory from Silver Creek and had to sit out part of the season, added 19 points.
“They’re all excited about getting back into the groove of things,” Matthews said. “They’ve been down this road before and know we play a tough schedule to help prepare for this.”
Priory meets Castilleja (13-9) in Thursday’s 7 p.m. semifinal game at Pacific Bay Christian. The Gators beat visiting Stevenson, 57-45, on Tuesday.
Priory beat Castilleja for the Division V title last year, also at Pacific Bay Christian.
“They’re one year older and more experienced,” Matthews said. “At this time of the year, everyone is 0-0 and you cannot overlook anybody.”
Castilleja has been getting contributions up and down the lineup all season and Tuesday was no different as Niki Chen scored 13 to lead the Gators and Sammy Wong added 11. Katie Fearon and Anna DeVitis combined for another 17 points.
In Division IV, Zoe Zaharias scored 19 points, Megan Norris added 17 and top-seeded Sacred Heart Prep downed visiting Mercy San Francisco 77-39 to advance into Thursday’s 7 p.m. semifinal game at Menlo against Monte Vista Christian (19-7), a 45-43 winner over Terra Nova.
Grace Florendo scored 10 for the Gators (15-10), who own wins over Division I semifinalists Sequoia and Menlo-Atherton. Chance Bucher and Kennedy Anderson combined for another 17 points.
Menlo hosts Eastside Prep in an Open Division consolation game at 4 p.m. Thursday.
In Division II, Woodside (12-11) lost to Aragon, 53-33.