The streak is over!

None of the current members of the Laguna Beach High girls’

basketball team were enrolled at the school the last time it

happened.

The date was Feb. 4, 1997, when Laguna Beach defeated Aliso Niguel

in a league game.

Little did the program know, but that win would be its last league

victory in five years.

Well last Thursday night, the losing streak -- which had grown to

51 games -- came to a halt and a collective sigh could be heard from

Dugger Gymnasium as host Laguna Beach defeated Northwood, 52-44, in a

Pacific Coast League contest.

Senior Leslie Schmalzried had a big game, as did freshman Emily

Friedman.

Schmalzried, who has been with the varsity program for four years,

posted 15 points and collected eight rebounds.

Friedman, who had played in just one league loss -- to Corona del

Mar on Jan. 14 -- during the streak, came up with a game-high 16

points, which included two three-point baskets.

The Breakers led by four at the half, 26-22, then came on strong

down the stretch and secured the victory with a 21-point

fourth-quarter effort.

They hit their free throws in the final minutes to end the streak.

“This was a big win and it came on our home floor,” Laguna Beach

assistant coach Dan Breece said. “We felt a little bit of a relief,

but mostly elation.

“This year’s team expected to end the streak. From the start,

their team goals were to win the Pacific Coast League or finish among

the top three teams in the standings. Although this is an exciting

win for us, the girls expect it to just be one of many in league.”

The victory evened the Breakers’ league record at 1-1 with 10

games remaining.