ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – In bringing back its girls basketball tournament this year, Pierce High School also paid tribute to one of its own, naming the event the Natalie Corona Invitational after the fallen Davis police officer who played on the Bears’ varsity squad from 2012-2014.
Adding to the significance of the competition was the fact the Bears claimed the inaugural championship by running the table as they defeated Williams, Anderson, Red Bluff and Forest Lake Christian.
In the opener on Dec. 12, Riley Delepierre scored a season’s best 19 points and Jaslene Condrey added 11 points, while Leah Charter and Nita Rodriguez corralled 14 and 12 rebounds respectively as Pierce blew past Williams 63-13.
Against Anderson the following day, in a low scoring affair, the Bears prevailed 31-23, as Magali Jauregui led the way with seven points and five boards.
In their second game last Friday, Pierce defeated Red Bluff 44-34 behind 14 points from Condrey and 10 more from Jauregui, who also had seven rebounds and five assists.
Charter pulled down 10 boards, while Rodriguez pitched in with eight.
To secure the championship, the Bears downed Forest Lake Christian (Auburn) 42-33 in a Saturday afternoon game, although statistics were not yet available.
Jauregui was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Condrey and Delepierre received All-Tournament nods.
Overall, Coach Michael Barber was pleased with the progress he is seeing in his team, saying, “We are finding a groove. The girls are settling in and learning their roles.”
Now 7-2, Pierce put its five game win streak on the line this week at Orland’s Lady Trojan Invitational, which began on Dec. 19.