Sequoia girls dominate M-A in PAL South opener

While not a single player for either team scored in double figures, Sequoia’s post tandem of senior Soana Afu and junior Talita Falepapalangi dominated in rebounding. Afu totaled a game-high 13 boards while Falepapalangi added 11.

The Cherokees outrebounded M-A 46-25 overall, including a staggering 13-2 in offensive boards.

“It keeps the energy really good when we know the other team can’t get another chance,” Afu said.

The Bears (0-1, 3-6) didn’t convert any chances for a substantial part of the game. M-A junior Nell Fahey knocked down a pair of free throws with three minutes to go in the first quarter to draw to within 9-8. Sequoia responded with a 19-0 run, with M-A scoring just two more points in the half when Nicolette Yeh converted in transition off a steal by senior Erica Fischer.

Yeh’s bucket came with 3:55 left in the second quarter. The Bears failed to score in the third quarter and, as Sequoia went on another 19-0 run, M-A wouldn’t convert again until Yeh hit a 12-foot running jumper with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter.

“We work hard on defense,” Sequoia head coach Steve Picchi said. “That’s our goal. So, I’m very proud of that … because [M-A is] a good team. They can shoot it.”

Sequoia really took care of the ball. The Cherokees had 16 turnovers throughout, but 10 of those came during garbage time in the fourth quarter. They only turned it over twice in the first half.

Meanwhile, Sequoia sophomore Alexis Jackson was wreaking havoc on M-A’s offensive possessions. While M-A turned it over 16 times, Jackson racked up seven steals. And she could have had plenty more had the ball bounced differently, as she continuously asserted herself in passing lanes up top to tip the ball or deflect it away.

“She stays very focused and she’s very fast,” Afu said. “She’s not afraid to take chances.”

Afu is Sequoia’s only senior starter. She is surrounded by a junior in Falepapalangi, and three sophomores in Jackson, point guard Jacqueline Kurland and forward Caitlin Dulsky.

For M-A, the task is to reinvent the team after the graduation of four-year varsity mainstays Greer Hoyem and Carly McLanahan.

For Fischer, one of just two seniors in the varsity mix — along with point guard Oron Estes — it’s a surreal feeling being the team leader. A four-year varsity senior, she remembers being the new kid. Now, she’s the one responsible to help groom the next generation of M-A basketball.

“It’s been very new,” Fischer said. “They all bring good talent to the team. It’s different though. When I started, I was the [youngest] and I had to learn from the older players. And now the role is reversed. It’s interesting.”

And Fischer is intent on stressing the fundamentals, including taking care of the ball.

“We’re really trying to get under 12 turnovers in a game,” Fischer said, “and working on passing in practice.”

Sequoia was paced in scoring by Afu and Dulsky, who each totaled nine points. Dulsky was a splash, scoring all her points by way of three 3-pointers.

Kurland added eight, while Falepapalangi totaled seven.

The one drawback of the post dominance by Afu and Falepapalangi was each were in foul trouble fairly early. Falepapalangi incurred her fourth foul with 4:33 remaining in the third quarter, and Afu drew her fourth just over a minute later. Neither would foul out of the game though.

“Sometimes that gets us in trouble with the refs,” Afu said.