GILROY — Thursday night was all about the seniors.
Though Christopher won’t see the postseason, it had one more chance to end things on a high note — and the Cougars delivered. They topped Seaside 58-50 on Senior Night at Christopher for the home and season finale, sending their three seniors — Dejah Raoof, Cydney Caradonna and Allita Watkins — out with style.
“It’s kind of emotional,” Watkins said. “This is my first year playing basketball. I’m really glad I ended the season with this team and I liked how all of us had a fight in us.”
The Cougars took a dominate 19-point lead into halftime thanks in large part to Raoof’s 10 first-half points. She led the team with 15 points, despite missing most of the second half after a scary moment under the basket in the third quarter which caused her to scream out in pain and the gym to fall silent.
“My knee popped out,” Raoof said. “It was the scariest thing ever because I have knee problems.”
But even that couldn’t keep her out.
The senior played through the pain to reenter the game in the fourth and finish out her high school career. Raoof also led the defense with four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Christa Arroyo added 13 points in addition to four steals and a rebound.
The always sly Caradonna came up with three steals, all of which came in the first half to help build Christopher’s early lead. She scored 12 points in addition to two rebounds and five assists before fouling out in the fourth.
The Spartans were able to rally back in the third — a problem that plagued the Cougars all season long. Fortunately for the home team, the Cougars were able to power through the final frame to hold off Seaside for the win.
“It was pretty emotional, I think that’s why we came out with so much fire,” Caradonna said. “We fought back, got our energy and we won without a point guard in the fourth. I’m just proud of everybody coming together.”
