COD (2-6) continues to improve as they made their way to consecutive tournament Consolation Finals, falling in the championship game to LA Harbor, 77-41.

In the opening round of the LA Southwest Tournament in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, the Roadrunners faced off with the host Cougars (3-3), where Desert played a tough three quarters, only down four at the half, 29-25. In the fourth quarter, the home side started to separate themselves and in the end, the Roadrunners fell, 56-40. 

Once again, head coach Skip Perry received a fantastic performance from sophomore starting forward Lexie Jackson (La Quinta H.S.) who scored 21 points, going a perfect 9 for 9 from the field, leading the team with two blocks and five total boards. Freshman starting guard Jada Toland (Indio Shadow Hills) led the team with four assists and freshman forward Yesenia Velazquez-Hernandez (Thermal Desert Mirage) came off of the bench to lead the team with two steals.

On the Consolation side of the bracket, Desert faced off with fellow Pacific Coast Athletic Conference-North Division foe, the MiraCosta Spartans (0-3), where the Roadrunners took the lead early and never looked back. Sophomore starting forward Jerrica Perez (Indio Shadow Hills) was absolutely brilliant, scoring 35 points, while going 10 for 19 from the field. Jackson put up a huge double-double, scoring 19 points, going a perfect 6 for 6 from the free throw line, grabbing 25 boards, 24 on the defensive side of the ball, and also leading the team in steals (4) and dominating with 8 blocks. Toland had a very generous night, dishing out 11 assists in the win.

In the Consolation Championship game, the Roadrunners met up with the always pesky, LA Harbor Seahawks (5-1). The Seahawks took an early lead and by halftime they had a 44-19 advantage, with a final score of 77-41. Jackson added another double-double, scoring 12 points on 5 of 18 shooting and grabbing 24 total boards and two blocks. Freshman guard Shannon Beard (Cathedral City H.S.) added two blocks of her own and Toland led the team with three assists, two steals and also had two blocks.

Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.