By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Daniels, Blue Devils fourth in Stockton
Placeholder Image
Former Ceres High standout Quantelle Daniels and the Merced College women's basketball finished in fourth place at the San-Joaquin Delta College Classic, held at Joe Blanchard Gymansium in Stockton, Dec. 9-11.

The Blue Devils compiled a 2-1 record at the eight-team tournament and fell to 4-7 overall.

"We would have loved to done better," said Daniels, a 5-foot-3 point guard.

"I don't know what happened. I don't know if it's experience."

Eleven of Merced's 13 players are freshmen, including Daniels.

Injuries have also taken a toll on the Blue Devils.

Four starters have missed a significant amount of playing time this season.

Tonesha Jackson and Jenna Hobby just returned to the lineup. Jackson missed four games with a knee injury. Hobby missed three games after suffering a concussion.

Keyasha Brothern, a 2003 Ceres High graduate, and Pasha Williams are nursing injuries.

Brothern has been sidelined since Nov. 18. Slowed by a back injury, she has played in just three of Merced's 11 games.

Williams, who missed four games with a knee strain, could return to the team in several weeks.

"With everyone healthy, we'd be unstoppable," Daniels said.

"We could still be unstoppable if we played better as a team."

Added Merced coach Allen Huddleston: "We've been hanging in there and battling with some of the best teams."

Daniels scored just two points, eight below her average, during the Blue Devils' 74-59 loss to Delta, the No.1-ranked team in Northern California, in the third-place game of the tourney on Saturday.

"The momentum switched right before the end of the first half," Daniels said. "They hit a three and made a layup (for a two-point lead)."

Delta improved to 10-3.

The Blue Devils lost 62-58 to San Jose City College, the No. 4-ranked team in Northern California, in the semifinals on Friday.

Daniels had seven points and six assists for Merced, which led 30-25 at halftime.

Delta took its first lead of the game, 60-58, when Brittany Mesa made an uncontested layup with 30 second remaining.

San Jose shot 80 percent (12-for-15) from the free-throw line.

Merced shot 53 percent (9-for-17) from the foul line.

The Blue Devils edged Yuba College 80-72 in the first round of the tourney on Thursday.

Daniels had eight points for Merced, which led 40-38 at halftime.

The Blue Devils outscored Yuba 40-34 in the second half. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier