Flintridge Prep girls’ basketball sews up Prep League title
LA CAÑADA — Prior to beginning Prep League action, Flintridge Prep girls’ basketball co-coaches Kevin Kiyomura and Jayme Chan liked the Rebels chances at being in the hunt for the Prep League championship.
Fresh off winning league and CIF Southern Section Division V-A championships last season, Flintridge Prep came into league with its sleeves rolled up in its quest to continue its dominant run.
Flintridge Prep accomplished one of its goals Friday night when it met rival Pasadena Poly. It came with the Rebels celebrating another milestone.
Taylor Yoshida finished with 20 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau to help host Flintridge Prep post a 48-15 victory and wrap up the league championship outright.
“We talked with our seniors coming in to league about wanting to continue the run and they knew what to do,” Kiyomura said. “We have a tight group and we have a lot of experience.
“We definitely wanted to continue to make our mark in league and we’ve responded very well. It’s about them going out there and finding ways to get better.”
Flintridge Prep (22-2, 11-0 in league) received 11 points and 16 rebounds from Kaitlyn Chen and eight points and six rebounds from Renae Tamura to finish the two-game season sweep against Pasadena Poly (13-6, 6-4).
Yoshida passed 1,000 points in her career when she scored on a reverse layup midway through the third quarter to give the Rebels a 32-5 lead. Yoshida entered the game with 991 points.
“It’s great to get the mark, but it’s better to help the team win the game and get league,” said Yoshida, who added six rebounds and two steals. “I’m very grateful to get it and have my teammates helping me out.
“It’s great to have their support, because we have a good chemistry among our group.”
Tamura, who surpassed the 1,000-point mark on Jan. 25, said winning another league title was rewarding.
“It’s our fourth year on the team and it’s awesome when you can win league each year,” Tamura said. “The coaches have been helpful in getting us ready to try to win league.”
The Rebels, who held a 22-4 halftime lead, have won 14 straight games and are ranked second in Division III-A behind Los Osos. They will close out the regular season Thursday on the road against Westridge.
“It’s a special group, no doubt,” Chan said. “The older players wanted to work with the newer players and tell them what’s been done over the last few years. That’s why they’ve been able to work well together.”
