Santa Clarita, CA – The West LA Wildcats put on an impressive performance on the road, securing a dominant 83-40 victory over College of the Canyons. With relentless defense and balanced scoring, West LA controlled the game from the opening tip and never looked back.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
The Wildcats wasted no time establishing their presence. Isabela Ferguson opened the scoring with a smooth jump shot at the 8:12 mark, setting the tone for an early offensive surge. Kennedee Rankin followed up with multiple buckets, helping West LA build a quick 10-2 lead. The Wildcats' aggressive defense forced turnovers, leading to easy transition baskets. Aliyah Young capitalized on a steal from Alana Young, converting a fast-break layup to push the lead to 12-2. By the end of the first quarter, West LA held a commanding 21-6 lead.
Suffocating Defense and Second-Chance Efforts
The Wildcats' defensive intensity remained a factor in the second quarter. Rankin and Young dominated the boards, combining for 19 total rebounds, which allowed for crucial second-chance opportunities. Andrea Hinton provided a spark off the bench with a deep three at 8:57 to extend the lead to 26-8. West LA forced multiple turnovers, with Davis and Ferguson each recording key steals. By halftime, the Wildcats had extended their lead to 40-13.
Third Quarter Run Seals the Game
Any hopes of a comeback from College of the Canyons were quickly erased in the third quarter. West LA started the half on a 14-5 run, with Young and Rankin continuing to dominate inside. Rankin, who finished with a game-high 31 points, showcased her offensive versatility, knocking down mid-range jumpers and attacking the paint. Kyana Davis added a key basket at the 7:23 mark, pushing the Wildcats' lead past 30. By the end of the third quarter, West LA held a commanding 58-29 advantage.
Finishing Strong
The fourth quarter was more of the same, as West LA remained locked in. Aliyah Young finished off a smooth fast-break layup with 4:08 left, assisted by Rankin, extending the lead to 74-37. Alana Young and Davis added key baskets in the closing minutes, while the defense held Canyons to just 11 points in the final frame. The Wildcats wrapped up the game with an 83-40 victory, their most dominant performance of the season.
Wildcats' Individual Leaders:
- Kennedee Rankin: 31 points, 13 rebounds, 1 block
- Aliyah Young: 25 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals
- Kyana Davis: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
- Alana Young: 4 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
- Isabela Ferguson: 5 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
Quarter-By-Quarter Score:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West LA | 21 | 19 | 18 | 25 | 83 |
| Canyons | 6 | 7 | 16 | 11 | 40 |
West LA host Citrus College on Wednesday, the final regular season home game for the 6 sophomores.
Aliyah Young is just 7 points shy 0f 1,000 points in her West LA 2 year career.