“We’re dogs.” That’s how Lamiyah Washington described the Los Medanos women’s basketball team after its 77-58 playoff win over Siskiyous on Wednesday, Feb. 25. For the first time since 2018, the Mustangs hosted a playoff game inside the LMC gym, and from the opening tip, they played like a team that had been waiting years for it.
Los Medanos exploded for 28 points in the first quarter while holding Siskiyous to just 10. That early surge set the tone and gave the Mustangs control they never gave up.
“Defensively, set the tone early, being aggressive, got up big, getting a lot of turnovers early in the game,” head coach Mario Pharr said. “That’s just part of our identity as a team this season.”
Siskiyous had multiple moments throughout the game where they almost shifted the momentum in their direction but LMC did not let them prosper, they all stayed composed, communicated and followed their coach’s gameplan. “We understand as the game runs,” Pharr said. “I talk to them about that all the time and let them know to stay composed and don’t stay away from the game plan, still being who we are…defense.”
That defense was a complete game changer and the x-factor in the win for them. The Mustangs were suffocating close to the rim by locking down any chance for the other team to build any sort of hope, they finished with an astounding 20 steals and forced 20 turnovers, turning pressure into points.
Washington led the charge with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, adding five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Eve Monzon followed with 21 points, hitting three 3-pointers and going a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line. Kendall McClure added 13 points and seven assists, while Rayona Jackson added a huge thump by dominating the glass with 15 rebounds off the bench.
For Monzon, the momentum started immediately for them. “I feel like straight out the gate, We came out with high energy, high effort, high intensity. And I feel, just given that it’s a home game, we were hyped and it’s the playoffs.” she said.
In a game where every possession mattered, she focused on communication with the rest of her teammates. “Personally, I knew that communication is key in this team sport, and that I would have to stay vocal throughout the whole 40 minutes,” Monzon said.
Washington felt the same energy early.
“At the beginning,” she said. “We just played no games. We knew what we wanted, and we knew that we wanted it more than everybody… It was a win or go home and we felt it. And we didn’t want to go home tonight.”
That mindset has been building all season. The Mustangs entered the playoffs averaging 72.3 points per game and nearly 38 rebounds per contest including riding a six game win streak heading into the playoffs. But the growth didn’t just happen during games.
“It’s been a journey,” Pharr said. “I kind of talked about the process a little bit from day one… 6 a.m. conditioning on the track outside, you know, every little thing, every little step, bringing us to where we are now.”
Washington pointed to that work too. “All of our six am workouts will pay off, all of our hard work in practices will pay off,” she said. “We’re ready to play whoever wants to come against us, we’re ready,” Washington added.
Pharr said this performance ranks among their best.
“Actually, I felt like we really played one of our best games today,” he said. “We’re clicking on all cylinders overall…It’s the perfect time.”
For Washington, a freshman, the moment carried even more meaning. “Personally, I’ve never been to the playoffs, so this means a lot,” she said. “It gives a lot of exposure and experience to all of us… let us know that we’re here because we deserve it and we’re here to put LMC on the map.”
After years without postseason basketball, the Mustangs didn’t just show up, they set the tone. Defense first. Energy from the start. Composed when it mattered. And as Washington said, they’re not done. They’re dogs.
