Mount Miguel Varsity girls’ basketball could win it all

As a sports enthusiast or just looking for great entertainment, look no further than the Lady Matadors of Mount Miguel High School. The talented trio of Dejanay Pope, Deijah Blanks, and Zaria Branch leads this fully equipped group of ballers.

As a sports enthusiast or just looking for great entertainment, look no further than the Lady Matadors of Mount Miguel High School. The talented trio of Dejanay Pope, Deijah Blanks, and Zaria Branch leads this fully equipped group of ballers.

Dejanay Pope is a native of Spring Valley and has played basketball since she was 10. Pope has been referred to as, “My go-to girl, and the one who puts forth 100 percent effort at all times,” said Matadors coach Robbie Sandoval.  “Pope plays with so much intensity that sometimes it is hard to even get her off the floor.” 

Pope is a senior this year, and captain of the squad. Pope primarily plays forward and is the leading rebounder. She is averaging about 12 points a game. When asked what her ultimate goal is for the season, she stated confidently, “I think we can go to the state playoffs and win.”

Deijah Blanks is one of two leading offensive scorers. She has been dazzling crowds with her dribbling and spectacular shooting capability since she was nine. Blanks is a 6-foot forward and a team captain. Blanks a senior, is scoring an average of nine points a game. She is optimistic that her goal to win stats is very achievable.  Blanks knows that she wants to major in sports medicine or therapy. 

Zaria Branch grew up in San Diego County, and has been fine-tuning her basketball skills since she was 11. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is one of her role models.  Branch is the second of the two leading offensive scorers. Branch stands at 5’10” and is the Lady Matadors leading scorer, averaging an astounding 34 points per game. When asked about the competition, Branch referenced the loss to Bishop’s earlier in the season.

“Bishop’s is the only school that really gave us a tough time,” said Branch. She continued, “We just made too many defensive mistakes and turned over the ball too much.”  

The Lady Matadors are currently 12 wins and 2 losses into the season, and have yet to start league play. They have scored 912 points and will certainly create a most points scored record in Lady Matador history. “To win league should not be that tough,” stated Sandoval. Clearly the Matadors are among the best in the county, and will host Mission Hills for the second time this year at 4 p.m., Jan. 11. In the last meeting the Lady Matadors destroyed Mission Hills 57-33. The Matadors should have a similar result this time.

Look for Mount Miguel to be in the state finals without a doubt.