Flintridge Prep girls’ basketball downed by Mayfield
LA CAÑADA — Flintridge Prep girls’ basketball co-Coach Kevin Kiyomura had an uneasy feeling before Flintridge Prep competed against Mayfield in a Prep League home contest Wednesday night.
Kiyomura had an inkling Megan Villar of Mayfield would turn in a superb shooting performance against Flintridge Prep.
Kiyomura’s worst fears were confirmed after Villar scored a game-high 34 points to send Flintridge Prep to a 56-43 defeat.
“Megan is a great player and she hadn’t beaten us in her first three years,” said Kiyomura, who shares the coaching responsibilities with Jayme Kiyomura-Chan. “She can change a game around and she had a great effort out there tonight.
“She just had our number. We knew what she could do.”
Villar, a guard, had 22 second-half points to topple the Rebels (6-4, 2-1 in league). Villar had four three-pointers in the second half to pace the Cubs (5-3, 1-0) and end the Rebels’ 20-game league winning streak that began during the 2013-14 season.
“She usually plays with so much intensity,” Mayfield Coach Kevin Yamamoto said. “She’s proven she can do well against top teams, like a Flintridge Prep. It’s a huge win for us to start league.”
Flintridge Prep, which won the league championship before advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA semifinals and state tournament last season, held a 22-20 halftime advantage.
Then Villar took charge, especially in the fourth quarter. Villar made a three-pointer to give the Cubs a 39-32 lead with 7:10 left in the game. She then made another three-pointer to make it 49-33 with 4:40 left.
“She got hot and made the shots,” Kiyomura said. “We felt good in holding the lead at halftime “
Flintridge Prep, ranked third in the division, took a 20-18 lead on a jump shot by Natalie Benn with 52 seconds left in the second quarter.
The Rebels received a team-best 15 points and eight rebounds from Taylor Yoshida and 13 points and seven rebounds from Renae Tamura. Yoshida finished with nine second-half points.
Kiyomura said the Rebels may get back standout forward Tala Ismail next week. Ismail, a reigning All-Area selection, is battling a knee injury.
Flintridge Prep will take part in a league road game against Rio Hondo Prep at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
