Jaguar Basketball Weekly Roundup: Jan 13 - 17, 2025

By:  Julio Rodriguez

Highs and lows filled this week for Jaguar Basketball.

The Lady Jags snapped their nine-game losing streak, defeating LA Harbor at home, 56-48.

A back and forth first half filled with solid team play saw the Jags down two, 26-24. They caught fire in the third with a streak of three pointers and defensive stops that created an eight-point separation that LA Harbor couldn't close.

Guard, Annette Bennett Ramos, led the team with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists while being an efficient 6/12 from the field and 3/6 on threes.

While Kaileih Denley shot wasn't landing, she was all over the court making an impact. She finished her night with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, two of which came at a crucial point in the third quarter.

"It was Coach Shelley instilling confidence in me," Denley said post-game. "Even though it's not falling in the game, when you really need it to fall, that's when it matters."

"It feels amazing!" Coach Tyrone Shelley said about breaking the nine-game losing streak. "They deserve it. Playing national juco teams, losing the conference opener by a point, we just tried to get away from that tonight."

Wednesday's action brought a home double header to the Den.

The men were looking to extend their five-game win streak to six against visiting San Diego Mesa. Hot starts from Jullian Soares, Ayden Lockett, and Jartavious Jackson and well-rounded team defense saw the Jags lead by 13 headed into the second half.

A poster dunk late in the second half by forward, Derek Edmond, had the Den on their feet. Final score, 81-53. This game had big conference implications, as following the MiraCosta/SD City & Palomar/Grossmont games, the Jags tied for second along with MiraCosta & City in the PCAC conference, while Palomar claimed the top spot.

Sophomore Guard, Ayden Lockett, was also announced by the PCAC as a nominee for December Player of the Month. Throughout the month he averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and shot an excellent 84.4% from the free throw line, with his best game being against LA Harbor.

"I was an honorable mention" Lockett said. "We're working every day and I'm glad to get some recognition for the work I put in."

To continue the double header, the women matched up against the visiting Imperial Valley. The Lady Jags struggled to start the game but came out in the second quarter not ready to give up. Big three's from Denley and Ramos put the Jags down seven heading into half.

The second half, the team came out flat, and Imperial Valley capitalized. The team scored 17 points compared to IV's 39. Final score, 69-40, Imperial Valley.

On Friday both teams ventured away from the campus.

The men traveled to the Harry West Gymnasium to play San Diego City College for another conference game, while the women traveled to North County to play Palomar.

The men jumped ahead quickly in a tough back and forth game, which saw City lead by one point heading into the half, following a buzzer-beating three from Brandon Bento-Jackson.

The game came down to the final two minutes. The Jags down four, Ayden Lockett drilled two crucial free throws. City needed to push the ball fast, but Jartavious Jackson used his length to get a steal and bucket to tie the game. With the shot clock turned off, City's Logan Huston, hit a big three over Jackson with 2.2 seconds left. Derek Edmond attempted a half court three, but didn't get it off on time. Final score, 76-73, SD City. With the loss the Jags fall to fourth in PCAC standings with a conference record of 5-2, 12-7 overall  

"The last three minutes of the game we didn't do what we needed to do," Shelley said postgame. "We gave up offensive rebounds, had four turnovers in a row. We just have to do the little things."

The women struggled against Palomar, resulting in a blowout loss of 82-26. 

This week's upcoming matches:

Wednesday, January 22nd - Home Double Header:

Men vs. Imperial Valley 5 PM  Watch Live

Women vs. Grossmont 7 PM  Watch Live

Friday, January 24th

Men @ Palomar 6 PM Watch Live

Women @ San Diego City 7 PM Watch Live