In a spirited showdown, the Carlmont varsity girls basketball team defeated the Aragon Dons 56-46 in an away game on Jan. 15. Senior captain Willow Ishibashi-To delivered a standout performance, achieving her 1,000th career point.
The matchup saw two contrasting styles collide, with Carlmont’s tempo-driven strategy going up against Aragon’s defensive intensity. Both teams traded blows throughout, but Carlmont’s ability to capitalize on key moments ultimately decided the game. The milestone achievement by Ishibashi-To added a celebratory note to an already hard-fought contest.
Carlmont’s head coach, Richard Stevens, who previously coached at Aragon, emphasized the importance of preparation.
“We studied a lot of film and knew Aragon would bring physicality and strong guard play. Our focus was on rebounding and handling their defensive pressure,” Stevens said.
The game began with both teams hustling for dominance. Carlmont leaned on its transition offense, while the Dons capitalized on their physical defense, forcing turnovers and keeping the score tight. Carlmont found its rhythm behind Ishibashi-To, who orchestrated the offense with precise passing and timely scoring.
“In the first quarter, I made a drive and passed to Emerson Barajas for a layup, which felt great because we were working well as a team,” Ishibashi-To said.
Aragon countered with strong 3-point shooting from Jaclyn Ruttenberg, which kept the game competitive heading into halftime. During the break, Stevens announced Ishibashi-To’s 1,000th career point, acknowledging the rarity of the achievement.
Heading into the second half, Aragon focused on stopping Carlmont’s point guards and improving their rebounding efforts.
“We prepared by trying to shut down their key players, especially Willow,” said Aragon coach Kristie Hala‘ufia.
Carlmont shifted the momentum early in the second half, opening with a 6-point run. Key defensive stops and fast breaks helped the Scots extend their lead.
“Pushing the tempo was key for us. We wanted to capitalize on opportunities in transition,” Stevens said.
Aragon fought back valiantly, with Ruttenberg and junior Daisy Pantoja Beltran leading the charge. Pantoja Beltran’s aggressive drives to the basket kept the Dons within striking distance.
“Daisy did a great job attacking the basket. Her energy helped us stay in the game,” Hala‘ufia said.
In the end, Carlmont’s balanced attack and timely defensive plays proved too much for the Dons. Despite the loss, Aragon senior Sofia Dioli remained optimistic.
“This has been the most fun season I’ve ever had in basketball. Our team is great at supporting and encouraging each other. No matter the outcome, I always feel proud of myself and my teammates,” Dioli said.
With this win, the Scots improved their league record to 2-1, positioning themselves well for the Central Coast Section playoffs. As the Scots celebrated their victory, the team reflected on their progression.
“We’ve qualified for CCS, but the league is tough. These games prepare us for what’s next,” Stevens said.
The Dons, now 1-3 in league play, remain focused on building momentum for the rest of the season.
“We had some great moments, and we are going to continue to build confidence and grow as a team,” Hala‘ufia said.
For Carlmont, the season is shaping up as a journey of growth and determination.
“This season is a progression. We’ve all grown a lot, and we’re just getting started,” Ishibashi-To said.
