Benicia High School’s girls’ basketball team delivered a commanding performance against Vacaville High School, securing a decisive victory of 58-39 on December 19, 2023. The Panthers, now boasting a record of 8-2, utilized a strong second half to pull away from the Bulldogs, who fell to 1-9 for the season.
The match took place in the Benicia gym, where the game began tightly contested. The Panthers held a narrow lead of 24-16 at halftime, but they quickly shifted gears after the break. Benicia opened the second half with an impressive 11-2 run, establishing a commanding hold on the game. Sophomore guard Ella Lum led the charge, scoring a game-high 25 points, including 14 in the second half.
“I think the difference there (in the third quarter) was energy,” Lum commented. “At the beginning, we came out flat. Our defense got better, and we got a lot of steals off our press, while attacking better.”
Despite the loss, Vacaville’s sophomore post player Charlie Cook shone brightly, scoring 24 points and securing 10 rebounds. Cook’s performance included an impressive 10-for-11 from the foul line, showcasing her ability to capitalize on free throw opportunities.
Benicia coach Corey Ott noted the importance of defensive adjustments, mentioning, “(Vacaville) shot 27 free throws. That was a point of emphasis in the second half as we went to straight man-to-man defense.” His coaching staff added a festive touch by wearing ugly Christmas sweaters during the game, contributing to the lively atmosphere.
The first half featured several lead changes, with Vacaville briefly taking a 7-6 lead thanks to a three-point play by Cook. However, Benicia quickly regained control, with key plays from Amelie Issier and Sierra Patz. The Panthers maintained a strong defensive effort, holding the Bulldogs to no field goals during the second quarter, while Vacaville managed to stay close by making 7 of 10 free throws.
Leading into the fourth quarter, Benicia’s momentum continued to build as Lum scored early, widening the gap to 46-27. The Bulldogs were unable to narrow the scoreline significantly, despite their efforts.
Ott praised Lum for her ability to involve her teammates in the game. “What I love about Ella is she gets other girls involved,” he remarked. “Without her on the court, we wouldn’t have that point guard and not as many touches would be there.”
Looking ahead, Benicia will take a break before returning to their schedule with a match against Northgate on January 6, 2024. Ott emphasized the need for improvement in preparation for the upcoming Diablo Athletic League season, stating, “We told the girls, ‘We are going to grind you. It’s not going to be fun. It is not going to be pleasant. One, we need to get into better shape, two we need to rebound better and three, we need to be able to defend.’”
Vacaville faces West Park in their next game on December 22, 2023, before starting Monticello Empire League play against their rival Will C. Wood on January 9, 2024.
In the junior varsity matchup, Benicia also emerged victorious, winning 33-20. The Panthers led 16-6 at halftime and continued their strong performance throughout the game.
