Quartz Hills Gains Ground on Palmdale

The Golden League girls’ basketball championship trophy has stood in a case at Palmdale High the past two years.

No team has come close to removing it.

The Falcons have won 20 consecutive league games, and well over 200 total games in 16 seasons under Coach George Corisis. Palmdale has won nine league titles in that time and has never missed the playoffs during Corisis’ tenure.

If somebody doesn’t do something drastic, that league trophy is liable to be a permanent fixture at Palmdale.

Well, somebody did something drastic last fall.

Guards Kenya Corley and Tiffany Coke transferred from Antelope Valley to Quartz Hill.

Quartz Hill, a team used to catching Palmdale’s bouquet every year, suddenly had the firepower possibly to match Palmdale and rid its reputation as a bridesmaid.

Palmdale (14-3) has four returning starters off the 1996 squad that finished 29-4 and reached the Southern Section Division II championship game.

But the Rebels have four returning starters (Corley, Coke, forward Sanethia Thomas and guard April Garza) and a 10-1 record.

Quartz Hill first-year Coach Steve Lankford is impressed by Palmdale, which features forward Monique Nolan, guard Edniesha Curry and center Marjorie Knott, all double-figure scorers, and guard Casey Bledsoe, a three-point threat.

“They execute well, they’re quick and they like to push the ball up the court--which is what we do and it’s the style of play I like,” Lankford said. “They’re a good team, but they’re beatable.”

Corley has given Quartz Hill the firepower it lacked last year. She averages 24.7 points per game and the Rebels have beaten their opponents by an average score of 65-47.

“Nobody has been able to stop Kenya,” Lankford said.

But Corisis, who pans for gold during the off-season, knows he’s got nuggets of his own.

Nolan and Curry each average 16 points and have helped Corisis change the Falcons’ half-court system into a fast-break offense, pressure defense scheme.

Palmdale forced 27 turnovers Tuesday in a 72-42 victory over Ridgecrest Burroughs.

Catching Palmdale will be difficult for Quartz Hill. Not only did Corisis revamp the offense to suit his talent, but the team played 55 games during the summer.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

AT A GLANCE

* THE PROVEN: Palmdale senior guard Edniesha Curry and senior forward Monique Nolan. Nolan averages 16.3 points, and Curry averages 16 points and 4.3 assists. Antelope Valley senior guard Tashie Aguinaga is averaging 16.6 points and 5.6 steals. Quartz Hill senior guards Kenya Corley and Tiffany Coke, transfers from Antelope Valley, are two of the league’s most explosive players. Quartz Hill senior forward Sanethia Thomas has a scholarship to Texas El Paso.

* THE PROMISING: Palmdale seniors Marjorie Knott (center) and Casey Bledsoe (guard) have all-league potential. Guard Jameka Taylor (sophomore), forward Carrie Miller (junior) and center Crystal Trumble (senior) have led Littlerock to a surprising start. Quartz Hill senior guard April Garza could be one of the league’s best all-around players.

* FAST FACT: Palmdale has won league titles in nine of 16 season under Coach George Corisis.