Sailors break even in Vegas

The Newport Harbor High girls basketball team split two games

Thursday in the Las Vegas HolidayClassic, topping Fountain Valley,

53-37, in the pool-play opener, then falling to host Centennial, the

reigning large schools state champion, 80-22.

Jillianne Whitfield paced the victory over Fountain Valley with 25

points.

In the second game, Victoria Swigert and Vanessa Miller scored six

points apiece for the Tars (8-4), who continue in the tournament

today at noon against Desert Pines (Nev.).

Eagles lose, 54-38

Estancia High’s “Big Three,” Xochitl Byfield, Tisha Gray and

Trisha Wase combined for 31 points, but it wasn’t enough as Berkeley

won, 54-38, in pool play of the Canyon Tournament Thursday in Anaheim

Hills.

Gray scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Byfield

contributed 10 points and seven rebounds and Wase nine points and 11

rebounds. Estancia fell to 5-5.

Estancia will play at 7:30 tonight against Newbury Park at Canyon

High.

Mesa falls, 68-39

Costa Mesa High’s girls basketball team opened their own

tournament with one of the perennial strong programs, Woodbridge, and

was unable to keep up the pace en route to a 68-39 loss in the first

round Thursday night. Rhodi Naff had 15 points and Rickell Reeves had

13 points, but it tailed off after that as Woodbridge had too many

weapons.

Costa Mesa returns to the floor today at 1:30 p.m. against Los

Osos of Rancho Cucamonga.