South San regains momentum after weathering COVID-19 outbreak
South San had a longer break at Christmastime than it was anticipating, and it wasn’t spent the way the Bobcats would have preferred.
The Bobcats (10-9, 4-7) finished 2020 with a seven-game winning streak that began in mid-November. It included South San’s first two District 27-6A games. However, after a 66-60 overtime win against New Braunfels Dec. 15, they didn’t take the court again until Jan. 5, when they faced 2018-19 Class 6A state champion Judson.
Between, South San quarantined because of COVID-19 exposure.
“We beat Wagner (81-62) and then won in overtime against New Braunfels,” South San coach Jacob Alegria said. “We were clicking on all cylinders and looking to go 3-0 in district. It really took the wind out of our sails.”
South San had a 93-31 setback against Judson, which Alegria said was a blow to the team’s confidence. It also was the beginning of a five-game district losing streak.
The Bobcats slowly pulled out of the tailspin over seven days that began Jan. 19. Alegria explained that the three-game stretch, leading to a 70-51 win over East Central (3-19, 0-11) Jan. 26, was the first time the entire team was healthy since Christmas Break.
“Learning how to play through adversity has made our bond better,” Bobcats senior Alexis Gomez said. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but our bond has really helped a lot.”
Alegria pointed to two games against East Central as mileposts. The Bobcats eked out a 68-61 win over the improving Hornets Jan. 16 at East Central. In the Jan. 26 victory, South San finished with a 14-1 run.
“It shows the difference between where we were a couple of weeks ago to now,” he said. “I’m just hoping that it’s not too little, too late.”
After the win, South San stood a half-game behind Wagner (6-8, 4-6) for the final 27-6A playoff spot. The Bobcats were tied for fifth place with New Braunfels (7-16, 4-7) and Smithson Valley (6-13, 4-7).
East Central grabbed a 9-4 lead at South San with a three-point basket from Leilani Prudo, but Hornets post Asia Prudhomme had drawn her third foul. South San responded with 15 unanswered points, including four points from sophomore Jade Hilliary (34 points) in 11 seconds, for a 19-9 lead with 3:06 left in the first quarter.
Hilliary is one of the city’s top scorers with a 23.7 average. She has taken over for her graduated older sister, Destiny Hilliary, who was a first-team all-district selection in 2019-20.
“Jade brings a different aspect than Destiny,” Alegria said. “Last year, she was learning the ropes a little bit. This year, she knows when to take the reins.”
The Hornets scored nine unanswered points to close the gap to 56-50 with 5:16 remaining after Prudhomme (12 points) and Alanis Macias (17 points) each scored off steals.
“They’re scrappy,” Alegria said. “They just need that big win. I remember when our program was at that stage.”
Gomez contributed 10-consecutive points to South San’s final push, including a pair of three-point baskets. Raven Gonzales scored 14.
“This has been fun,” Gomez said of her career. “You learn a lot on and off the court. It’s about just being there for each other and getting along, pretty much.”
