University City stuns Patrick Henry in girls basketball

After 15 games, University City High School’s girls basketball team was staring at a 4-11 record. Nine of the losses were by double figures, including thumpings by 21, 43, 24 and 38 points.

Looming on the horizon was Patrick Henry, which opened the season 17-0.

So what unfolded Tuesday night on the Centurions’ floor?

University City ratcheted up the defense, celebrated having a complete lineup after dealing with injuries and a transfer sitting out and posted its most impressive win of the season, handing Henry a 38-32 defeat.

UC senior Kianna LeFear missed multiple games after breaking her right ring finger playing quarterback on the flag football team. As the team struggled without her, LeFear was not afraid.

“When we were 4-11, we couldn’t give up,” said LeFear. “We knew we had players down. We couldn’t think because we didn’t have them, we couldn’t do anything. We needed to do the best we could right now, so that when everyone came back, we’d be prepared.”

Another senior, Courtlyn Mitchell, missed multiple games with a knee injury. LeFear and Mitchell led the way against Henry, both scoring 10 points. LeFear also grabbed seven rebounds.

The Centurions were also motivated by looking at Henry’s record. The Patriots, ranked No. 12 in the Union-Tribune’s poll this week, have slipped 17-2 after back-to-back losses.

“I was fired up,” said Mitchell. “I knew they’d lost only one game. I knew they were 17-1.”

Patrick Henry’s leading scorer, sophomore Ayvahlee Ruize (15.1 average coming in), hit Henry’s first shot, a corner 3 just 16 seconds into the game. But University City’s 2-3 zone defense turned stingy after that, with Henry missing its next 17 shots, seven of them 3s.

By halftime, UC was up 15-9.

“That was probably our best defense of the year,” said third-year UC head coach Romie Apostol.

“We’ve been more focused on defense,” said LeFear. “Coach says offense wins games but defense wins championships.”

UC stretched its lead to nine points by the close of the third quarter, 27-18. Early in the fourth quarter, Henry made a run, pulling to within 27-25. The next two trips down the floor, freshman Victoria Forsythe scored a bucket in the lane, then a 3 from the corner. The lead was 32-25; Henry would get no closer than four.

As for UC’s defense, the Patriots hit just 12 of 49 shots (24.5%) and turned the ball over 15 times.

After opening 17-0, Henry was hammered 78-28 on Saturday by Yucaipa. Before the game, the Patriots said there would be no withdrawals after the rout.

“I think we were humble before every game this season,” said Henry senior Ally Mangahis.

But Henry coach Derrick Carter said his team needs to look in the mirror after the loss.

“That was all on us,” said Carter. “Everything’s on us. We didn’t execute, we didn’t pass well. We didn’t understand that from here on out there’s a target on our back. Every game’s a playoff game. We’re going to get every team’s best shot. Until they understand that, that’s how it’s going to look.”

UC is now 6-11, 2-0 in Eastern League play. The Patriots are 1-1 in league play. Ayla Collins led Henry with eight points.

As for where University City can go from here, now that the team’s healthy and with a full roster, Apostol said, “The sky’s the limit.”