Mezmariaya Ellis top large field to win Hot Shoot Competition
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CRESCENT CITY >> Mountain Vista Middle School’s A girls basketball team brought home the consolation championship in the AA division from the 51st annual Jaycees Tournament held Friday and Saturday in Crescent City.
The Lancers’ lone loss was a 32-25 setback to Grenada, which went on to win the AA championship, in a first-round game. The Lancers took a one-point lead into halftime.
“Ultimately, Grenada fought back, making very precise passes and calculated shots and pulling out the game in the second half,” Mountain Vista coach Shaun Robinson said.
Mezmariya Ellis led the Lancers with nine points, Samaya Ellis added six and Jodeci Meadows had five.
Mountain Vista bounced back in the consolation semifinals with a 29-18 over Middletown Middle School. The Lancers pulled away over the final quarters, turning a one-point halftime lead into a double-digit victory. Mezmariya Ellis and Meadows had nine points apiece in the win.
“Aggressive defense and couple of well-timed 3-point shots helped the Lancers break the game open in the second half,” Robinson said.
Mountain Vista edged Fort Bragg 32-28 in the consolation championship game. Down by two points at halftime, the Lancers pushed ahead by as many as seven points with two minutes left in the game.
Kaylee Robinson led the Lancers with 10 points while Meadows and Samaya Ellis had nine apiece.
Meadows and Mezmariya Ellis were named to the All-Tournament team.
Mountain Vista also entered Mezmariya Ellis into the Hot Shoot Competition, one of 48 participants. She scored a tournament-high 40 points within the two-minute contest window to win the AA division and overall title. She received a plaque and new Wilson game ball.
