Piedmont High School’s girls basketball team closed the calendar year by going 3-1 at the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic in San Marcos on December 26-30. The Highlanders are now 8-1 on the season as they prepare for the opening of West Alameda County Conference Foothill Division play.
Piedmont opened with a 72-26 win over Canyon-Anaheim on Dec. 26. Jenelle Solis led the way with 29 points including making seven of 11 3-pointers. She also had six assists and three steals. Briana Webb had 25 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Highlanders coach Bryan Gardere said the team missed just two field goals in the first half when it raced out to a 49-13 lead. Piedmont outscored Canyon 24-3 in the second quarter. Andrea Martin added eight points, six rebounds and five steals. Taylor White had six points and six rebounds.
The next day, Piedmont fell to Mission Hills, 68-55. Martin had 21 points and eight rebounds. Solis had 14 points and six assists. White had 10 points and three rebounds. Webb had four points and five rebounds.
Bay Cordova led Mission Hills with 24 points with five rebounds and four assists. Izzy Medina had 15 points and seven rebounds while H.C. Harding added 12 points. The Grizzlies took control of the game with a 23-11 third quarter.
On Dec. 28, the Highlanders defeated California, 74-50. Martin had a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. So did Webb with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Solis had 19 points and seven assists while White had seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Lauren Yee led the Grizzlies with 21 points. Taylor Lim had 10 points.
The game was close at halftime with Piedmont leading 33-29. The Highlanders then broke it open in the second half.
Piedmont concluded the tournament on Dec. 30 with a 51-45 win over Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills. The Highlanders took a 24-13 lead at halftime and then held off the Trojans. Martin had 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots. Solis had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists while Webb had eight points and eight rebounds. White contributed six points and six rebounds. Solis made the all-tournament team.
Piedmont is next scheduled to play at Clayton Valley on Jan. 3.