Jennings Ties 3-Point Mark in Win

Dana Hills girls’ basketball Coach Carolyn Waltman had her mind made up before Thursday’s South Coast League game against Capistrano Valley.

“We didn’t want her breaking another record against us,” she said.

The player in question is Cougar senior guard Jenny Jennings, who was trying to break the Orange County single-season record for three-point baskets.

The last time Jennings faced the Dolphins, she hit a school-record nine three-pointers in a 67-29 Capistrano Valley victory. This time, she came up a bit short in her attempt at a record. She hit twice from beyond the arc to bring her season total to 105, tying the record set by Edison’s Debbie Fischer during the 1989-90 season.

But she seemed unconcerned that she was held to 10 points in the Cougars’ 61-41 victory.

“Everyone knows that I’m going to shoot a lot of threes,” Jennings said. “They were sending two or three players out on me at times and we were getting wide-open layups.”

Jennings was held to two field goals in the first half and hit her first three-pointer with 2:41 left in the third quarter to give Capistrano Valley a 49-18 lead. She earned a share of the record by hitting from up top with 3:57 left in the game, but missed her only subsequent attempt. She should break the record Saturday, when the Cougars (15-6, 4-2) host La Crescenta Crescenta Valley, ranked second in Division I-A.

“That’s a big game because of where they’re ranked, and that’s my focus right now,” Jennings said. “It’ll be nice to look back after the season is over and look at the records, but right now I’m just thinking about playing and winning.”

Waltman was pleased with her team’s effort, especially senior Jamie Fowler, who shadowed Jennings on defense. “(Jennings) went off against us last time and I think Jamie did a real good job on her,” Waltman said.

In another South Coast League game:

San Clemente 76, Trabuco Hills 56--Kirsten Quade scored 10 of her 22 points in the third quarter for visiting San Clemente (16-6, 5-1), ranked seventh in the county. Emily Deeley scored 19 points for Trabuco Hills (7-10, 1-5).