Aztecs Put Millikan in a Zone

Leading by one going into the fourth quarter, Esperanza took advantage of a Long Beach Millikan defensive switch and pulled away for a 41-33 victory in the first round of the Cerritos Gahr girls’ basketball tournament Saturday.

Esperanza’s forwards took advantage of Millikan’s switch to a 3-2 zone defense to outscore the Rams, 11-4, in the quarter and advance to Monday’s second round.

Kristin Peters led Esperanza (7-4) with 14 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. She teamed with Alison Gerber to account for 10 of the Aztecs’ 11 fourth-quarter points.

Gerber scored 11 points and provided a spark for the Aztecs in her first game back after missing nine games because of a knee injury.

In another Gahr tournament game:

Irvine 74, Los Angeles 38--Jody Carlson had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Irvine (9-2).

Kristin Thawley had 14 points and nine rebounds also for the Vaqueros.

In the Bonita Vista tournament:

McRoberts (Canada) 44, Brethren Christian 34--Sarah Muilenburg scored 12 for Brethren Christian (7-3) in a first-round game.

Heather Spowart had four points and eight rebounds for Brethren Christian.

In the Costa Mesa tournament:

Costa Mesa 62, Riverside Rubidoux 24--Forward Autumn Smith led Costa Mesa (7-3) to a first-round victory. Smith had a team-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. The Mustangs will play Lake Washington on Monday.

In the Garden Grove tournament:

Magnolia 65, Los Amigos 34--Armida Galves’ 23 points led Magnolia to a first-round victory. Yanet Flores had eight points and seven rebounds for the Sentinels.

Troy 82, Gershaw (Canada) 35--Veronica Johns-Richardson scored 19 points and Katie Hardeman had 14 points and seven steals for Troy (12-0).

In the Laguna Beach tournament:

Estancia 48, Capistrano Valley Christian 28--Lauren Cassity had 17 points and Francia Diaz scored 14 to lead Estancia. Capistrano Valley Christian is 6-2.