Community college women’s basketball: Hatsushi hot in win

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Orange Coast College freshman Nancy Hatsushi proved to

her coach, Mike Thornton, that the Pirates women’s basketball team

responds to adversity in a 63-41 Orange Empire Conference victory over

visiting Saddleback Wednesday.

The Pirates (15-5, 2-1 in the OEC), who lost to Irvine Valley Friday,

received a sparkling performance from Hatsushi, the team’s starting point

guard. She scored a game-high 20 points and collected five steals to

ignite the Pirates’ win.

“Nancy played a great game,” Thornton said. “I don’t remember a player

having a better, complete game. I’ve had some great point guards play for

me and when she’s graduated from here, she will be among them.”

Hatsushi had five steal-and-layup combinations, as she darted through

the Gauchos’ passing lanes througout the night. She converted a steal

into a layup, five minutes into the second half for a 39-27 lead, and she

followed it up with a blocked shot, steal and finished on a breakaway

layup, 20 second later, prompting a Saddleback timeout.

OCC freshman Liz Mendoza came off the bench to chip in 11ponts, while

freshman Lauren Murray had six rebounds and eight points.

The Gauchos dropped to 10-7, 1-2.

The game also featured a battle between best friends. Saddleback coach

Steve Popovich and Thornton are best friends. They were in each other’s

wedding and they both teach at Edison High School.

The Pirates return to action Friday at 7:30 p.m., playing at Cypress.