The Menlo girls’ basketball team lost a heartbreaker 45-44 to Antelope in a NorCal Div. II semifinal Saturday.
The CCS Div. IV champion Knights end a seven-game win streak, and finish the season with an 18-8 mark.
In Saturday’s semifinal, Antelope clawed its way back and stayed within arm’s reach after trailing nearly the whole game, taking a one-point lead with 3:47 left to play. The Big Red stretched it to 43-39 with 1:48 left on Samaya Dillard’s three, and held on for the win.
For Menlo, freshman Karen Xin posted 16 points and senior Sharon Nejad added 10.

Antelope     8   10    15   12   - 45
Menlo        15   10    12   7   -  44

A: Chavez 2 0-0 6, Rice 3 0-0 7, Carteb 5 3-4 15, Samitten 2 0-0 5, Dillard 4 1-4 12. Three-point goals: Chvez 2, Rice, Carten 2, Samitten, Dillard 3. Total: 16 4-8 45. MS: Chou 1 0-0 2, Xin 6 0-0 16, Brooks 2 0-0 5, Chen 1 0-0 2, Li 3 0-0 9, Nejad 3 4-6 10. Three-point goals: Xin 4, Brooks, Li 3. 

Menlo 59, Caruthers 55

3.3.2022 – The Menlo girls’ basketball team came back from a 10-point halftime deficit, then rallied to take the lead in the last 30 seconds in a 59-55 victory over Caruthers to advance to the CIF-NorCal Div. II semifinals.
In front of a packed and vocal student section, the Knights chipped away at Caruthers’ lead and finished with a 21-10 fourth quarter. Freshman Karen Xin, who has proven to be clutch shooter sank a three-pointer with 21.5 seconds left to give the Knights a 57-55 edge.
“When we finally started to come back in the fourth quarter I was super excited and proud of the team for showing everyone that we worked for our seeding and that this was the level we really play at,” Menlo senior Jazlin Chen said. “Every win, when you get this far, is a feat.”
In Saturday’s semifinals, No. 3 seed Menlo will play No. 10 Antelope, which knocked out No. 2 McClatchy, at home.
Chen finished with a team-high 15 points while Xin had seven of her 12 points in the fourth. Junior Jordan Brooks also added 12 points for the Knights.
“Luckily I’ve never known my team to give up. I think what really helps us is our positive attitude and the calm way we take on talking about the game in the locker room. Everyone has a chance to voice their opinion and what they’re seeing, all players are also good at addressing each other respectfully,” Chen said. “Having a ton of hype women on the team is definitely a great plus.”

Menlo 37, Alhambra 28

3.1.2022 – In a defensive duel, the Menlo girls’ basketball team defeated visiting Alhambra 37-28 in the first round of the CIF-NorCal Div. II playoffs Tuesday.
No. 3 seed Menlo will host Caruthers - a 62-47 winner over Vista del Lago in another first-round game. Round II will be 6pm, Thursday at home.
Menlo senior Sharon Nejad pulls down one of her six rebounds against Alhambra
Credit: P. McKenneyThe Knights got more shots to fall by the third quarter after quietly leading 15-12 at the half. Freshman Karen Xin’s steal and assist to junior Jordan Brooks pushed the Knights ahead 19-13 in the third. Angelica Chou, also a freshman, took a pass from senior Sharon Nejad and converted on a three-point play with 2:17 left and senior Shannon Li added a basket with :06 left in the quarter for a 26-17 advantage,
Li finished the day with 12 points and five rebounds. Nejad posted 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks while Jazlin Chen grabbed five more rebounds,