TAFT, CA – Things just didn't pan out within the last week for Taft College Women's Basketball dropping two road games losing both to Merced College and Reedley College.
In their second meeting against Merced, Taft fell short 57-64. The stat lines were even across the board. However, Taft couldn't produce enough players in the scoring column. Madyn Kassatly had a team high of 17 points and 10 rebounds, along with 3 assists and 2 steals. Ella Waufle scored 10 points, while Alyah Blackwater and Mary Pahukoa scored 9 points apiece. Amaya Payne grabbed a team high 11 rebounds.
In a nail-biting game against Reedley coming down to the wire, Taft had few opportunities to either tie or lead the game with under a minute to go. However, controversial calls may have played a role in the outcome. A defensive charge or blocking foul call was to be made with 41.6 seconds to go with Reedley leading the game 88-86. Defensively, it did not favor Taft. Reedley capitalized, making both free throws on the blocking foul increasing the lead 90-86. What was more interesting was a hard foul on Alyah Blackwater getting ready to shoot two free throws with an opportunity to tie the game with 2.8 seconds left with Taft down 89-91. Blackwater is Taft's second-best free throw shooter on the team at 72%. A substitute player was to shoot her foul shots due to a missed error on the ruling. 1 of 2 shots were made. Taft lost the game 90-93.
Reedley shot 33-41 from the foul line, while Taft only shot 9-18.
Blackwater led the game with 21 points and 8 assists, along with 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Madyn Kassatly scored 20 points, shooting 3-6 from 3-point range, along with 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ella Waufle chopped up 14 points and 3 steals.
A very frustrated Taft College Head Women's Basketball Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. explains, "The game was exciting of course with both teams going toe to toe. Our Lady Cougars, as well as Reedley, were busting their tails off and putting forth the effort to win the ball game. Great atmosphere, entertaining plays, but I believe in letting the players dictate the outcome, not officials nor other personnel. Alyah Blackwater should have been shooting those foul shots. A mistake was made. Nothing can be done at this point. I suppose the old saying goes, 'you learn from your mistakes.' So, our game outcome now becomes a training tool for a case scenario for all involved. Rules clearly state that should not have happened."
Taft will be at home on Friday, February 21, against Lemoore College at 6:00pm. A victory will give Taft a slight chance of earning a playoff berth. The Cougars stand in fourth place in the Central Valley Conference at 4-7 with an overall record of 15-12.
Taft will host its second annual Play 4Kay Breast Cancer Awareness and Research game, along with it being Sophomore Night. The Cougars will recognize five sophomores: Alyah Blackwater, Kahree Horton, Mary Pahukoa, Amaya Payne and Aaliyah Tidwell.