Girls Basketball: Perfect Antelopes seek redemption in 2015 playoffs
Feb. 16, 2015
ALONSO TACANGA/Valley Press
LANCASTER — The sting of a bizarre defeat to end its 2013-14 season has been with Antelope Valley throughout 2014-15.
Leading by a point with 0.3 seconds left and with possession of the ball in the first round of the playoffs against Irvine last year, the Antelopes lost on a turnover and a buzzer-beating jumper that was straight out of the Twilight Zone.
"That loss really hurt a lot of us," AV senior Tylen Price said. "That was just crazy."
Using the painful defeat as motivation, however, the Antelopes -led by Tatyana Lyles, Morgan Bizzell, Niyah Page, Oriana Brown and Price - didn't let almost anyone come close to touching them this season.
The 'Lopes went 23-1 overall and 14-0 in the Golden League to take the crown. Every one of their wins came by double digits. In league play, their average margin of victory was 39 points.
It's fair to say AV didn't let an outlandish loss keep it down for too long. This could be the best girls basketball team Antelope Valley's ever fielded
"This team has a chance to be something special," AV head coach Deon Price said. "We're trying to take it one game at a time."
The 'Lopes' only blemish during this success-packed season came in a tournament game at Valencia on Dec. 6. At that point, the 49-29 loss dropped AV's record to 3-1.
Since then, they've won 20 games in a row.
"It's the kids, their commitment and willingness to work hard and not settle," Deon Price said.
But for all the happiness all the winning has brought the Antelopes, they know major distress awaits them if they can't avenge last year's first-round hiccup.
As the No. 3 seed in the Division 3AA playoffs facing a 5-21 Simi Valley team on Thursday, they should have a decent shot at avoiding that. Although they're not taking the Pioneers lightly.
"Definitely touched on that," Deon Price said. "On any given day, you can lose. Don't let the record fool you.
"They're definitely someone that should be respected. Their record is 0-0 just like us right now. The season's just starting."
Tylen Price looks at defense and keeping turnovers down as a major key for AV to come out victorious Thursday in what would be the 'Lopes first playoff win since 2012.
AV also must be ready to deal with a close game, something it has yet to experience this season.
"I think we can handle it," Tylen Price said. "We're going to keep our composure. I don't think it'll be a problem."
The Antelopes won't be satisfied with just one playoff win, however. They're looking for a throwback run.
Winning four of the last six Golden League titles, AV has a tradition of excellence. From 2009-12, the Antelopes, who then featured Tylen's older sister Destini on their team, advanced all the way to the quarterfinals.
These new 'Lopes are looking to go beyond that.
"Our goal is to get to state and win it," Tylen Price said. "I think we can do it. Everyone wants this."
Deon, Destini and Tylen's father who became AV's head coach to start the 2011-12 season, won't allow himself to say it, but he'd also love at least three postseason wins.
"It'd be a great time to be able to get past that quarter mark that we've gotten to a couple times," he said.
Part of the delight of accomplishing the feat would be doing it while coaching one of his daughters again. Deon was only Destini's coach during her senior season, but he's been at the helm for all three of Tylen's varsity years.
"As a dad and as a coach that's great," Deon said. "Not many get an opportunity to coach their kids."
For the Prices, this is a chance at redemption in so many ways. The same goes for the rest of Antelopes and fans who were there on that disturbing Feb. 20, 2014, night, when the unthinkable happened.
Time to continue to make amends.
"The sting is still there," Deon Price said. "Hopefully we can sweeten that bitter taste."
ALONSO TACANGA/Valley Press
LANCASTER — The sting of a bizarre defeat to end its 2013-14 season has been with Antelope Valley throughout 2014-15.
Leading by a point with 0.3 seconds left and with possession of the ball in the first round of the playoffs against Irvine last year, the Antelopes lost on a turnover and a buzzer-beating jumper that was straight out of the Twilight Zone.
"That loss really hurt a lot of us," AV senior Tylen Price said. "That was just crazy."
Using the painful defeat as motivation, however, the Antelopes -led by Tatyana Lyles, Morgan Bizzell, Niyah Page, Oriana Brown and Price - didn't let almost anyone come close to touching them this season.
The 'Lopes went 23-1 overall and 14-0 in the Golden League to take the crown. Every one of their wins came by double digits. In league play, their average margin of victory was 39 points.
It's fair to say AV didn't let an outlandish loss keep it down for too long. This could be the best girls basketball team Antelope Valley's ever fielded
"This team has a chance to be something special," AV head coach Deon Price said. "We're trying to take it one game at a time."
The 'Lopes' only blemish during this success-packed season came in a tournament game at Valencia on Dec. 6. At that point, the 49-29 loss dropped AV's record to 3-1.
Since then, they've won 20 games in a row.
"It's the kids, their commitment and willingness to work hard and not settle," Deon Price said.
But for all the happiness all the winning has brought the Antelopes, they know major distress awaits them if they can't avenge last year's first-round hiccup.
As the No. 3 seed in the Division 3AA playoffs facing a 5-21 Simi Valley team on Thursday, they should have a decent shot at avoiding that. Although they're not taking the Pioneers lightly.
"Definitely touched on that," Deon Price said. "On any given day, you can lose. Don't let the record fool you.
"They're definitely someone that should be respected. Their record is 0-0 just like us right now. The season's just starting."
Tylen Price looks at defense and keeping turnovers down as a major key for AV to come out victorious Thursday in what would be the 'Lopes first playoff win since 2012.
AV also must be ready to deal with a close game, something it has yet to experience this season.
"I think we can handle it," Tylen Price said. "We're going to keep our composure. I don't think it'll be a problem."
The Antelopes won't be satisfied with just one playoff win, however. They're looking for a throwback run.
Winning four of the last six Golden League titles, AV has a tradition of excellence. From 2009-12, the Antelopes, who then featured Tylen's older sister Destini on their team, advanced all the way to the quarterfinals.
These new 'Lopes are looking to go beyond that.
"Our goal is to get to state and win it," Tylen Price said. "I think we can do it. Everyone wants this."
Deon, Destini and Tylen's father who became AV's head coach to start the 2011-12 season, won't allow himself to say it, but he'd also love at least three postseason wins.
"It'd be a great time to be able to get past that quarter mark that we've gotten to a couple times," he said.
Part of the delight of accomplishing the feat would be doing it while coaching one of his daughters again. Deon was only Destini's coach during her senior season, but he's been at the helm for all three of Tylen's varsity years.
"As a dad and as a coach that's great," Deon said. "Not many get an opportunity to coach their kids."
For the Prices, this is a chance at redemption in so many ways. The same goes for the rest of Antelopes and fans who were there on that disturbing Feb. 20, 2014, night, when the unthinkable happened.
Time to continue to make amends.
"The sting is still there," Deon Price said. "Hopefully we can sweeten that bitter taste."