Ramona basketball dominates Coronado tourney

Coach Erin O’Connor’s varsity girls basketball team got off to a great start in the Coronado Tournament. The Lady Bulldogs won their first four games and made it to the championship game before losing to Mater Dei High School in the championship game.

The Lady Bulldogs opened the Coronado Tournament on Friday, Nov. 27, with a 46-24 victory over the Crawford Colts. Kellie Schoepp led the Lady Dawgs in scoring with 13 points. Jessica Beam (4), Paige Conroy (2), Felisha Stead (1) Kim Whelehon (7), Tessa Balcom (6), RaeAnne Van Tol (6),Courtney Robinson (1) and Christie Flores (6) also scored in the victory.

Tessa Balcom hit two 3-point goals. Kim Whelehon and Kellie Schoepp hit one 3-point goal apiece.

Ramona came back on the same day to beat El Cajon Valley High School in another route, 58-28. Balcom hit three shots from beyond the arch to lead the Lady Dawgs with 13 points. Whelehon sank two 3-pointers and scored 9 points. Conroy (5), Felisha Stead (5), Kellie Schoepp (8), Van Tol (6), Robinson (2), Flores (7) and Morgan Gross (3) scored in the win. Conroy and Stead contributed one 3-point goal apiece.

On Saturday, Nov. 28, Ramona continued its dominance of by winning two more games in the Coronado Tournament.

The Lady Dawgs hung on to beat San Dieguito Academy 39-38. Balcom led all scorers with 14 points as she hit four shots from three point land. Conroy hit two 3-point shots and contributed 10 points. Stead (2), Whelehon (3), Schoepp (4) Van Tol (2) and Flores (4) also scored in the victory.

Ramona finished its initial weekend by beating Chula Vista, 61-51. Schoepp led all scorers with 16 points. Balcom continued to score from long range as she hit five three point shots in route to scoring 15 points. Conroy (5), Stead (7), Whelehon (8), Van Tol (8) and Flores (2) scored.

The Lady Bulldogs got off to a slow start in the championship game and trailed 15-6 after one quarter of action. Both teams had a tough time scoring in the second period and only scored 6 points each as Ramona trailed 21-12 at intermission.

Ramona dominated the third period and outscored Mater Dei 12-6 to trail 27-24 going into the final eight minutes. The teams played evenly in the fourth quarter and Mater Dei held on to win the tournament with a 37-32 win.

Val Tol led Ramona in scoring with 10 points she also grabbed eight rebounds. Conroy scored nine points and hauled in seven boards. Schoepp scored five points had eight rebounds. Sheppard (3), Balcom (3), and Flores (2) also scored in the championship game.

Schoepp and Balcom were named to the all-tournament team. Schoepp was named as a forward for her outstanding rebounding and her scoring. Balcom made the team as a shooting guard as she led the tourney in 3-point baskets.

The Lady Bulldogs are currently playing in the Rancho Bernardo Invitational.