Coronado girls take victory at Sierra Vista

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Dec. 10, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Sofie Cruz recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds as Coronado downed host Sierra Vista 67-56.

The Cougars bounced back from a 51-46 loss to Valley on Tuesday with one of their best performances of the year.

“We were so balanced,” Coronado coach Bill Crego said. “All of them shared the ball and played as a team. That’s the key to what we do.”

Caitlin Trost scored 11 points and Nicole Ruffino added 10. Amanda Decker had eight points and six rebounds.

But it was her interior defense that had Crego raving after the game.

“She’s been so strong inside,” Crego said. “She has controlled games inside.”

Coronado was able to limit production from Sierra Vista’s Jeannette Jackson, one of the area’s top players.

Crego said the Cougars' game plan was to make someone else beat them. That didn’t happen.

“We did very well against her,” Crego said. “A lot of her points weren’t until the end of the game.”

Coronado also excelled in handling Sierra Vista’s trademark pressure defense. The Cougars limited turnovers and escaped most of the Mountain Lions traps.

“They are at the point where they can break it and do it without me explaining everything,” Crego said. “That’s what you like to see.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.