Armijo girls open defense of MEL titles with win

FAIRFIELD — The Armijo High girls basketball team trailed 17-16 after the first period but kicked it into gear over the final three to defeat Vacaville 86-58 in the Monticello Empire League opener for both teams Friday night at E. Gary Vaughn Gymnasium.

The Indians (12-6, 1-0 MEL), in pursuit of their third straight MEL title, had five players score in double figures, with Melaya Gaines leading the way with 23 points.

Marshanique Hall added 14 points, while Laura Lawson and Jainice Robinson-Kroon each had 13 points. Justice Robinson-Kroon had 12.

Armijo is back in action Tuesday at home against Wood.

Mustangs hang on to win thriller in Napa

NAPA — The Rodriguez High boys basketball team saw its late 15-point lead cut to five in a 20-second span but held on for a 75-70 win over Napa in its return to the Monticello Empire League on Friday.

“Within 20 seconds they ran off 10 unanswered points,” Mustangs coach Nate Rankin said. “They had a nice strategy, but our guys ended up holding on.”

David Shelton led Rodriguez (6-11, 1-0 MEL) with 25 points, while Ronnie Glover added 11 points, Johnny Shelton eight points and DeShawn Hall nine rebounds and six points.

Rodriguez won the JV game 44-36 as the Mustangs (14-2, 1-0 MEL) got 12 points from Josh Wilson 12, six points from Jordan Badger, six points and six assists from Dominique Shelton and four points and four assists from Kesean Graham.

Rodriguez returns to action on Tuesday at Vintage.

Vacaville 64, Armijo 49: At Vacaville, the Indians (7-5, 0-1 MEL) committed 22 fouls to 13 for the Bulldogs (5-12, 0-1) and saw the home team enjoy a 25-10 edge in free throws attempted.

“Defensively, we didn’t play a very good game tonight,” Armijo coach Carly Perales said. “We fouled way too much. It was the ultimate diff in the ballgame. They made 21 free throws, we made five. In a 15-point game, that’s the big difference right there.”

The Indians, who led 14-11 after the first quarter but were outscored 39-22 over the next two, got 11 points from Hosea Barfield and nine from Tyree Carrie. Raul Magana led Vacaville with 15 points, while Dakota Dixon added 14 and Dylan Lentini 10.

Armijo is at Wood on Tuesday, while Vacaville entertains Napa.

Wood 70, Vintage 44: At Vacaville, the Wildcats (12-7, 1-0 MEL) trailed just once – at 2-0 – before outscoring the Crushers 21-7 in the first quarter and never looked back.

“We played good defense, we were pretty intense,” Wood coach Mark Wudel said. “We outscored them each quarter so we stayed pretty focused even though we got a big lead. Everybody got in and everybody played well, so it was good.”

Davis Wade led a balanced Wildcats attack with 14 points, followed by Jeremiah Burks and Jamal Brown with 13, Darius Washington with nine, Khalid Harrison with eight and Cameron Moore with seven.

Wood plays host to Armijo on Tuesday.