RAF ALCONBURY, England — The Menwith Lady Mustangs made it clear to their Division III foes that they will be a force to be reckoned with when the Division III girls basketball tournament rolls around next month.
Menwith Hill won all four games it played against other D-III teams during a series of contests at RAF Alconbury played Thursday through Saturday. Altogether, Menwith Hill, Alconbury, Rota and Brussels played nine games.
Menwith Hill beat Rota twice - 34-29 and 35-34 - and Alconbury twice - 32-15 and 22-12 - the last a shortened game that did not count in conference seedings.
The four wins gave the Lady Mustangs a 5-1 mark against D-III foes, and counting some games with British teams, an overall 9-1 record, according to head coach Kate Ojeda.
“It’s a good event because two games a day is a good preparation for Europeans,” Ojeda said.
Monique McCreary and Kaia Pierce did much of the damage for the Lady Mustangs. In her best game, McCreary had 18 points, 12 rebounds and five steals in the one-point victory over Rota. Pierce had 10 points and 16 rebounds in the first Rota game and nine points and 11 rebounds in the rematch.
Ojeda said she hopes to get the No. 1 seed in D-III tournament. “My girls have worked hard this year,” she said.
Menwith Hill will try to keep its momentum going next weekend when it hosts D-II AFNORTH in a pair of Region I games.
Rota’s Lady Admirals were the busiest team, playing six times and going 4-2. Rota defeated Alconbury and Brussels twice each by an average of 30 and 15 points, respectively.
Notable Admiral players included Bri Ammons with 12 points in the loss to Menwith Hill on Thursday and Allana Shelton with 13 point in a 45-20 victory over Alconbury on Thursday and 11 in a 53-18 romp over Alconbury that closed out play Saturday.
Brussels played three games and ended up with one win against Alconbury and two defeats at the hands of Rota. The Brigands host International School of Brussels in their next game Tuesday.
Home court was no advantage for Alconbury. The Lady Dragons lost all five of their games. Next on their schedule is a game Friday against The American School in England.