Short-handed CdM girls' basketball falls to Mission Viejo in opener

By Andrew TurnerStaff Writer

Nov. 28, 2017 7 PM PT

Growing pains are part of the process that most teams must go through before experiencing any kind of sustained success.

That process may be accelerated for the Corona del Mar High girls’ basketball team, which found itself down three starters in its season opener on Tuesday night.

Junior center Tatiana Bruening had 10 points, five blocks, five rebounds and four steals, but it was not enough to lift the short-handed Sea Kings to victory.

Mission Viejo rode a 20-point performance from Angela Arbe to a 39-28 win over the host Sea Kings in the CdM Tip-off Tournament.

The Sea Kings were without starting point guard Malia Halafuka. She said she dislocated her left knee in an alumni game on Friday.

Halafuka will be examined on Thursday by a primary care physician, said Angela Bradford, her mother. But even if no tendon damage is revealed, CdM coach Brason Alexander said she likely would not resume basketball activities for at least two or three weeks.

In addition, Alexander said that shooting guard Samantha Uehara and forward Sophie Beador will miss the first four games of the season for violating team rules.

“This is going to be great learning for us,” Alexander said. “Unfortunately, it is going to be painful learning because we have to watch people go from the eighth and ninth [player on the roster] to a starting role and playing tons of minutes.”

It took time for CdM to find its way as a unit. The Sea Kings were held scoreless in the first quarter, and they trailed 20-12 at halftime.

Forward Trasara Alexander, the coach’s daughter, started in her first career game for CdM. She scored her two points in the second quarter, adding nine rebounds and a steal.

Senior Elizabeth Lee had three steals in a start for the Sea Kings. Tori Gyselaar and Joslyn Simaan each had two rebounds off the bench.

“We did have to change our lineup around a little bit,” Bruening said. “I think Trasara did a really good job of jumping into a spot, even when she wasn’t expected to.

“She did a really good job of filling the spot and keeping her composure, even as a freshman. I’m super proud of her to jump in there, have some confidence, and try to go after it.”

Tia Grippo looked for her shot at all times. She ended up with eight points for CdM, most of them via her jump shot.

Aya Prow added a pair of three-pointers, with the second cutting the Mission Viejo lead to 30-24 with 5:06 remaining.

Cierra Arlow answered with the next four points for Mission Viejo, pushing the Diablos’ lead back to double digits. Arlow had 11 points, nine rebounds, three steals and one block.

CdM had trailed by as many as 14 points, a gap that was established when Arbe converted a layup for a 28-14 Diablos lead.

Arbe appeared to injure her left ankle at the start of the fourth quarter, but she was able to play through it. The Diablos (1-1) got to keep their most dynamic offensive threat in the game as a result.

“Somebody stepped on my shoe, and then I kind of rolled my ankle,” Arbe said. “I had already rolled it before, so it kind of hurt. I cried a little bit, but I got over it. I just had to walk it off.

“My mentality was just to score and pass a lot. I just wanted to get the ball and make something happen.”

Mission Viejo 39, Corona del Mar 28

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Mission Viejo 8 – 12 – 8 – 11 — 39

Corona del Mar 0 – 12 – 7 – 9 — 28

MV – Arbe 20, Arlow 11, Williams 4, Hammork 2, Paraklis 2.

3-pt. goals – Arbe 1, Arlow 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

CdM – Bruening 10, Grippo 8, Prow 6, Alexander 2, Jordan 2.

3-pt. goals – Prow 2.

Fouled out – None.