GIRLS BASKETBALL: Rams rout Cougars, clinch third place in Southeast League

Maureen Macato scored 18 points Thursday, and Rancho's girls basketball team overcame a slow start to earn a 56-40 victory over host Coronado and clinch third place in the Southeast League.

Samantha Pochop added 12 points, while Kyndal Ricks had 10 points for Rancho, which will meet Canyon Springs in the opening round of the Division I Sunrise Region playoffs next week.

The Rams trailed 15-6 after the first quarter before a 20-9 surge in the second gave them a two-point halftime lead. Rancho then outscored the Cougars 30-16 in the second half.

Ksana Montoya finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals to lead Coronado, the Southeast's No. 4 seed in the region tournament.

Payton Caci had 11 points and five rebounds for the Cougars, and teammate Aeryn Hawkins added nine boards.

Foothill 58, Basic 32 — At Basic, Rae Burrell had 14 points, and Kylie Vint scored 11 to lead the Falcons past the Wolves.

Bri Rosales and Aqui Williams added eight points apiece for Foothill, which pulled away after leading only 23-19 at halftime.

Happy Butler had 12 points to lead Basic, and Amanda Sanchez scored 10 for the Wolves.

Green Valley 62, Eldorado 52 — At Eldorado, Yamilei Rodriguez had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Gators by the Sundevils.

Gwen Garcia added 11 points and six assists, and Jamaica Lewis had 10 points for Green Valley, which led only 41-39 after three quarters.

Kiana Parkes led Eldorado with 20 points, and teammate DeAsia Walker scored 13.

Canyon Springs 55, Las Vegas 42 — At Canyon Springs, Alexia Thrower scored 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the Pioneers past the Wildcats.

Aleza Bell scored 13 points for Canyon Springs, which opened the game on a 17-5 run.

Bianca Matlock scored 11 points to lead the Wildcats.

Liberty 70, Valley 37 — At Liberty, Nancy Caballero scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Patriots routed the Vikings.

Taylor Turney also turned in a double-double with 15 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for the Patriots, who led 45-17 at halftime.

Sandra Scroggins had 10 points to lead the Vikings.

Centennial 68, Cimarron-Memorial 22 — At Cimarron, Justice Ethridge scored a game-high 17 points to power the Bulldogs by the Spartans.

Samantha Thomas had 12 points, and Pam Wilmore added 10 points for Centennial, which led 48-9 at halftime.

Ashli Tyler led Cimarron with nine points.

The Spartans outscored Centennial 13-7 in the third quarter before being held scoreless in the fourth.

Virgin Valley 52, Boulder City 45 — At Mesquite, Briana Todd poured in 17 points to lift the Bulldogs over the Eagles.

Spencer Green had 15 points, and teammate Bernice Fiso added 11 points for Virgin Valley, which clinched second place in the Division I-A Sunrise League.

Megan Morton scored a game-high 23 points to lead Boulder City.