Girls basketball: Sea Kings roll, 68-48

Barry Faulkner

CORONA DEL MAR - Thursday was nostalgia night for the Corona del

Mar High girls basketball team, which looked more like the squad that

amassed 22 wins last year, than the one that flirted with .500 this

season.

The Sea Kings (14-12) used a 21-2 first-half run to take command

against CIF Southern Section Division III-AA first-round visitor Ganesha,

en route to a decisive 68-48 triumph.

The win advances CdM to Saturday night’s second-round clash at La

Canada (16-10). The Sea Kings defeated La Canada last season, 60-49, in

overtime in the first round.

Coach Elbert Davis’ hosts overwhelmed Ganesha (18-12) with balanced

scoring, defensive determination and depth.

Davis repeatedly shuttled in bodies all night, allowing the Sea Kings

to keep their legs fresh and defensive intensity high.

And on offense, junior guard Andrea Gruber and junior center Carrie

Hawkins stepped up to help the McCoy sisters, senior Kristin and

sophomore Jackie.

Gruber connected three times from three-point range to erupt for an

11-point first quarter. She finished with a team-high 13, one shy of her

season-best, and also added seven steals.

“That’s the Andrea I’ve been waiting for all year,” Davis said.

Hawkins’ 12 points tied her season high, while Jackie McCoy and

Kristin McCoy added 12 and 10, respectively.

Kristin McCoy also had 12 rebounds, while starter Courtney Kawata

netted a pair of three balls for her six points.

“We’re tough to beat when we get that many people contributing,” said

Davis.

CdM also got strong defensive effort from Mijanou Pham, Kelly Luu, Naz

Alateha and Kellyann Klein, while Colleen Marks, Madison Otterbien and

Sarah Stern also provided quality minutes.

Anetero Uiagalelei paced the Giants with 20 points, but hit just 5 of

17 field-goal attempts.

CdM also forced 24 turnovers, including 13 in the first half, which

ended with them comfortably in front, 36-19.

The hosts led by as many as 28 late in the third quarter.

CIF Division III-AA PLAYOFFS

First round

Corona del Mar 68, Ganesha 48

Score by Quarters

Ganesha 11 8 11 18 - 48

Corona del Mar 17 19 18 14 - 68

Ganesha - Uiagalelei 20, Lockhart 10, Garcia 8, Evans 3, Verdon 3,

Findley 2, Martinwz, 2.

3-pt. goals - Uiagalelei 2.

Fouled out - Uiagalelei.

Technicals - Garcia 1.

Corona del Mar - Gruber 13, J. McCoy 12, Hawkins 12, K. McCoy 10, Kawata 6, Klein 5, Pham 4, Luu 2, Otterbien 2, Stern 2, Alateha 0, Marks

0.

3-pt. goals - Gruber 3, Kawata 2, Klein 1.

Fouled out - Klein.

Technicals - Bench 1.