With 4.1 seconds remaining and down 68-64, the Hawks took a timeout. It was San Mateo’s ball, so the chances of victory were very slim. But this timeout was no ordinary timeout.
For three sophomores — forward Monique Cavness, guard Kierstin Constantino and guard Mi’ari Garnett — this would be their last time in a Hawks huddle. Their last game. Their last seconds with Las Positas. It was one last chance to take it all in – to prepare for the end of their season and their career as a Hawks.
San Mateo made no mistakes in the final seconds, keeping possession and adding yet another disappointing result to the Hawk’s season. The women’s hoops team finishes with a 69-64 loss on Friday, Feb. 23. Turnovers, missed free throws, and poor shot selection, in addition to fouling out late led to another frustrating loss.
Monique Cavness, No. 15, is honored at a pregame ceremony recognizing the seniors on the Hawks women’s basketball team. (Photo by Keoni Federico/ Special to The Express)
Constantino led the Hawks with 19 points. Kyshanti King had 18. Joyce Mulumba finished with 14 points, 26 rebounds and six blocks. Cavness totaled 11 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks.
The majority of the game was back and forth, but the Hawks managed to grab a three point lead with 6:20 remaining. But with five minutes left in the game, one blow of the whistle changed the momentum of the game.
Constantino was called for her fifth foul, and her career as a Hawk came to an abrupt end. Constantino ended the season averaging 26.2 points per game.
A minute later, the Hawks’ issues compounded, as King also picked up her fifth foul. With the game even at 59, the Hawks would have to play the remainder of the game with neither of their two top scorers and main ball handlers.
The impact of the two missing was felt immediately, as the Hawks struggled to get the ball across halfcourt, turning the ball over four times in the last four minutes. Without their dynamic guards, the Hawks failed to make enough plays down the stretch, leading to San Mateo walking out with a victory.
As it was the regular season finale, the night started with a ceremony to commemorate those who’d be playing their final game with the team. Coach Caleb Theodore shared insight on Cavness, Constantino and Garnett. The team also recognized freshman guard Hiba Shahab, who will not be on the team next season due to injury concerns.
It was another season of development for the Hawks as they improved their record of 3-24 last year to 6-19 this season. Las Positas secured two foundational pieces for the future in King and Mulumba. It’s their team now.
King finished as the second-leading scorer with 20 points per game to go with 7.3 rebound per game. Mulumba led the state in rebounds at 21.3 per game.
Constantino came in as the national leader in threes made in all of women’s basketball with 141 made threes. But in her final game as a Hawk, she couldn’t come up with her usual show, as she struggled from the field, going just 3-15 from distance. Her historic three-point season comes to an end with 144 made threes, ten away from tying the NCAA single season record set by Taylor Pierce in the 2018-19 season. As of last season 2022-2023, the next closest was by guard Caitlin Clark of Iowa, who made 140 three’s.
Despite the difficult end to the season, Theodore feels there are plenty of positives for the Hawks to take from this season. He shared how proud he was of each player on the team in their daily work ethic. He said he likes to see how motivated they are to continue to improve their game and how seriously they take themselves to get better each game.
For Theodore, ever since his first season with the Hawks, his goal has been to change the direction of women’s basketball at LPC. He believes they did just that, leading to this season being a step in the right direction, one he hopes they will build on next season.
Luke Vavuris is a staff writer for The Express. Follow him on X, formally Twitter, @Luke5068.
