The top two girls’ varsity basketball teams in section 2A Valley, the San Carlos Lady Braves and Miami Lady Vandals, met for the second time this season Friday night in a packed San Carlos High gym. San Carlos had won their first game, a 49-44 victory in Miami on January 2. On Friday the visiting Lady Vandals returned the favor, topping the Lady Braves 66-50 to move into first place in 2A Valley – in a game where two players would be recognized for scoring 1,000 career points.

To the delight of Braves fans, a short pregame ceremony congratulated San Carlos junior Ellysia Cutter on that milestone, which she reached in a Dec. 29, 2023 game against Holbrook. Miami junior Demetria Dosela would join Cutter Friday night, notching her own 1,000th point with a fourth-quarter three-pointer; she, too, was saluted by teammates, fans and family.

The Lady Braves started strong, outscoring Miami 13-6 in the first quarter. They were ahead by ten, 18-8, early in the second. However, Miami clawed back for a 21-20 lead. Junior Savannah Pietila gave them that edge by sinking two of three free throws after drawing a flagrant foul on a San Carlos defender. Junior Leeyah Goss and freshman Tamia Pietila each had a steal and a basket to key Miami’s run. The Lady Vandals outscored San Carlos 60-37 over the final three, including a 23-11 third quarter and a 22-19 fourth quarter that included Dosela’s milestone three-pointer. Dosela also had a double-double, with 10 rebounds and a team-leading 18 points. Goss was right behind her with 17, and Tamia Pietila added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Miami senior Layla Thompson scored 8, hauled in 11 rebounds and blocked six shots. (No game statistics for San Carlos were available at press time.)

The road victory improved Miami’s record to 16-4, and gave them first place in 2A Valley at 7-1; it was the Lady Vandals’ seventh straight win. San Carlos moved to 14-3, 5-1 in the section. At press time, the Lady Braves were ranked #2 and the Lady Vandals #3 in Division 2A; new rankings were set to come out January 22.

Miami will round out its season with two more section games, hosting 9-10, 3-3 Gilbert Classical Academy (Jan. 23) and 6-25, 1-4 Arete Prep (Jan. 26), then a pair of non-section games, hosting 11-7 Coolidge (Jan. 27) and traveling to 11-4 Blue Ridge (Jan. 29). San Carlos will finish will four straight section games: at Arete Prep (Jan. 23), then hosting 14-5,4-4 Leading Edge Academy-GEC (Jan. 26), Gilbert Classical Academy (Jan. 27) and Arete Prep (Jan. 29).