As the final minutes ticked away, Moorpark women’s basketball was going to lose 71-59 to Mt. San Antonio College in the first round of regional playoffs Feb. 25, but this special season was not lost to this talented group of women.
Sidney Dobner, the rock of MC at point guard, scored 22 points and had three assists.
Dobner has been key for Moorpark’s success maintaining 16.7 points a game and shooting 42% from the field with an average of 5.8 assists per game. She was a commander of the court.
“This was a tough loss, and we put forth our best effort. We left it all on the court out there, and I hope no one has any regrets,” said Dobner. “I love my team, and its great to be out there with them.”
The two-guard Deepika Kapil averaged 12.6 points per game, providing a proper one-two punch for MC at the one and two spot. Kapil had a double–double in Friday’s game scoring 19 points and a team high 14 rebounds.
“This was a game I believe we could’ve had, that we did have, but we made small mental mistakes,” said Kapil. “This was a great experience, I loved the girls I played with they all mean so much to me, and we had a bond that no one could replace.”
With MC down and four minutes remaining, Dobner drove down the right lane landing a one-handed scoop layup with Mt. Sac’s Jianni Jackson draped all over her for the and-one foul.
This determination is what made MC head coach Lindsay Goldblatt so proud of her team throughout the season.
“We’re really happy for this special group of girls, we’re really happy for the success they had and their season ended a little bit earlier then we thought, we had planned but it wasn’t for a lack of effort and were very proud of the effort they put forth tonight, we gave Mt. SAC as much as they could handle,” said Goldblatt. “We worked hard and we gave it everything we could and we’re very happy with that aspect.”
Foul troubles troubled MC in the second half, with three players fouled out by the five minute mark. MC’s depth was depleted and any time Mt. SAC touched the ball, in the final four minutes they were pretty much guaranteed free-throws.
Mt. SAC closed out the final four minutes on Moorpark with back-to-back free throws and a clutch floater from Kimmie Hawkins to put the final nails in the coffin.
