Girls basketball: Eagles save something in big win

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - That his Estancia High squad blitzed visiting South

Pasadena, 65-35, in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division

III-AA girls basketball playoffs Thursday was pleasing enough for Eagles

Coach Paul Kirby.

But, the limited hand his team unveiled to a gathering of Ganesha High

players and coaches in attendance, could be almost as important as

extending the Eagles’ winning streak to eight, heading into Saturday’s

second-round clash at Ganesha (24-5).

“I hope (the Valle Vista League champions, one of five teams to earn a

first-round bye) play man-to-man against us,” Kirby said.

That would likely be Ganesha’s inclination, especially after watching

Estancia reign nine three-pointers over South Pasadena’s zone.

Shooting from distance was just one of the things the hosts did well

Thursday, and there were a lot of Eagles deserving of kudos.

The entire roster, padded to 14 for the postseason, played and a dozen

Eagles scored to help post the team’s second largest victory margin this

season. Only a 74-23 trouncing of winless Laguna Beach, in the first

round of Pacific Coast League play, was more severe than the beating the

Eagles administered to the Tigers (10-12).

“I was disappointed in our defensive effort (breakdowns which led to a

handful of layups) in the first half,” Kirby said. “But we did a better

job in the second half and we shot the ball real well. (Zuyin) Barrera

was on fire.”

Barrera, a junior guard, had four three-pointers, including two in the

first 86 seconds, en route to a team-high 16 points.

She was the only Eagles in double figures, as the remaining points were

divided generously among the rest of the squad.

Senior Lauren Cassity and freshman Xochitl Byfield each added eight to

represent the starters, who watched and cheered their teammates from the

bench for most of the second half.

Erika Avalos, the sophomore starting center, scored five points, but

added 10 rebounds and seven steals.

Byfield collected six rebounds, five assists and three steals, while

Cassity had three steals, two rebounds and two assists.

Lisa Hirata had three points and four assists in a starting role, while

senior Becky Lenhart (six points) and junior Tory Matsufuji (four points

and six rebounds) were among those who led the reserves.

Sophomore Maria Rodriguez (two points, three assists, three steals and

two boards) played well backing up Hirata and junior Hilda Vasquez hit

both her field-goal attempts, from 17 feet, to score four points.

Junior Claudia Villa was also impressive off the bench, collecting four

points, three rebounds and two steals.

Jennifer Cassity, called up from the junior varsity, got her first four

varsity points, including a three-point bank from the wing, while senior

Jennifer Ollila, junior Jessica Orellana and freshman Tisha Gray did

their share, as well.

South Pasadena committed 27 turnovers, had just four second-half field

goals, and took 30 fewer shots (33) than the hosts.

Kim Kawasaki paced the Tigers with 16 points.