CYPRESS WINS GROSSMONT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

Story and photos by Ron Logan

January 2, 2010 (El Cajon)-- Cypress College defeated Mt. San Jacinto College to win the Grossmont College 23rd Annual Holiday Tournament for women's basketball held on the Grossmont campus in El Cajon December 28 - 30. The Grossmont Griffins finished in fourth place.

The first day of the tournament featured a 70-48 win by Antelope Valley College against Santa Ana College, 70-48, sending Santa Ana into the consolation bracket and advancing Antelope Valley to the next round.

Eventual winner Cypress defeated Bakersfield College, 79-57, in the tournament's second match, advancing Cypress, and relegating Bakersfield.

Grossmont defeated Reedley College, 67-45, in their first game of the tournament, and Mt. San Jacinto beat Santa Barbara, 76-61, putting Grossmont and Mt. San Jacinto through to the next round.

On Wednesday, day two of the tournament, Santa Ana defeated Bakerfield, 70-63, and Santa Barbara beat Reedley, 92-70, in the consolation bracket. Cypress won their game against Antelope Valley, 70-59, to advance to the championship game, while host Grossmont lost their game to Mt. San Jacinto, 71-55.

The final day of the tournament began with a battle of the dueling Santas, with Santa Barbara beating Santa Ana, 60-47 to win the consolation match.

Grossmont showed well in the third-place game but fell to to Antelope Valley, 73-68. The game remained close for the entire 40 minutes, but despite great rallies by the hosts, it was Antelope Valley that walked away with the third place trophy.

The largest trophy of the evening was awarded to Cypress College when the team won the championship game, 70-56, against Mt. San Jacinto.