Girls’ basketball: Watch out for Cajon
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Cajon used to be considered one of the top girls’ basketball teams in the country, but after stars Layshia Clarendon and Darshae Burnside graduated in 2009, the Cowgirls struggled and fell by the wayside, and were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season.
This year no one knew what to expect.
After winning the Ayala Best of the West tournament last weekend, however, Cajon (16-0) has reemerged as one of the top teams in the girls’ basketball landscape, making a resounding statement by defeating powerhouses Etiwanda and Edison.
This team is very different than any of the star-laden teams Coach Mark Lehman has had in the past. The Cowgirls have seven players who average at least seven points a game.
Last weekend officials asked Lehman to pick a player from his team to be named tournament MVP, but he couldn’t decide on just one, so he asked his team whom they thought should be awarded the title.
‘They said, ‘Coach, everybody contributed,’ ‘ Lehman said. ‘We are still deciding whether we’re going to cut this thing up six ways or what we can do.’
Lehman said he’s done something with this team that he’s never done before. He’s divided the players into two teams -- one big, one fast -- and depending on his opponent’s style, he uses a pointed counter-attack.
For example, Lehman started his big team during the championship game against Etiwanda on Saturday, and when the Cowgirls found themselves trailing 34-15 with four minutes remaining in the half, he mixed things up and put in his fast team. They scored 12 unanswered points to reduce the deficit to 34-27 at halftime, and ended up pulling off an upset against a stunned Etiwanda squad.
Lehman said the keys to his team’s success are unselfish play and unity.
‘My team right now, I have to get them to all buy into sharing the time, and it’s not about individual statistics,’ Lehman said. ‘It’s about the team doing well. If the team does well, you look good.’
Lehman says the following players are his top threats:
Jazzmeen Williams (6 feet 4) -- ‘When she comes to play, she pretty much dominates the inside for us. She’s our leading three-point shooter. We’ve been bringing her outside at times, especially in crucial situations where we need to open the inside up.’
Kori Walker (5 feet 7) -- ‘ She does a lot of different things for us at guard. She can post-up and get through a press with her dribbling.’
Sophie Bhasin (5 feet 7)-- ‘If teams don’t guard her, she can light it up.’
Shannon Moore (5 feet 4)-- ‘In the big games, she comes through for us. She hit some big threes against Etiwanda and ended up being our leading scorer with 14.’
Angelica Guardado (5 feet 10)-- ‘She’s been leading us in rebounds. She has more double-doubles than everyone.’
-- Melissa Rohlin
