Champion Estancia rips Orange

A frenetic defense contributed in large part to a 26-6

third-quarter run for the visiting Estancia High girls basketball

team as it recorded a 63-23 victory over Orange in Golden West League

play Friday.

With the win, Estancia claims the league championship with an 11-0

record and one game left in the regular season.

“We still have Ocean View,” quipped a modest Rappa when the

subject of championship came up.

Xochitl Byfield scored a game-high 23 points to go with eight

rebounds and Tisha Gray collected 15 points and 10 boards for the

Eagles.

Trisha Wase scored 11 to go with 10 assists and 10 steals, most

coming in the third quarter, Rappa said.

“(Wase) had a bunch of steals in a row for layups,” Rappa said.

Orange only scored one point in the second quarter as the Eagles

built a 26-10 lead at intermission, giving Rappa the opportunity to

tinker with different lineups on the floor in preparation for the

playoffs.

“Everyone had the opportunity to score and help,” Rappa said.

Imelda Pena and Nicolle Wilson each scored three points, while

Reyna Garcia and Jazmine Flores collected two points each.

The Eagles shot 22 of 45 (48%) from the field, but only hit 4 of

13 (30.7%) free throws.

The Eagles travel to Ocean View Thursday at 7 p.m. for their final

league contest.

Westminster puts Costa Mesa away, 64-46

Led by 33 points from Biava Arganda, visiting Westminster

prevailed over Costa Mesa, 64-46, in Golden West League girls

basketball action Friday night.

Mesa (13-11, 5-5 in league) led, 25-20, in the second period

before the Lions (9-2 in league) went on a 14-0 run to end the half

and start the third quarter.

“(Arganda) went off screens, drove on us and beat us running down

several long balls,” said Costa Mesa Coach Jim Weeks. “We had a

really hard time with her but I’m proud of the way we played all

night. The girls did not give up.”

Rhondi Naff led the Mustangs, who sit in third place in the

league, with 12 points, followed by eight from Stacey Sanchez and six

each by Cassey Brick and Rickell Reeves. Naff had three assists and

Reeves grabbed seven boards.

Sage Hill crushes Capistrano Valley Christian, 47-24

Sage Hill High’s girls basketball team went back to the defensive

drawing board after a four-point loss Tuesday and made a turnaround

Friday on the winner’s court.

Lightning Coach Shanna Renkin commended her team’s defensive

effort that held visiting Capistrano Valley Christian to no points in

the first quarter on way to a 47-24 win in Academy League action.

“Our defense was unbelievable, it was so nice to see,” Renkin

said.

Haywood Wright turned in another strong performance with nine

points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and 10 blocked shots.

Katie Puishys had 16 points and 12 rebounds while Carrie Clark

finished with 10 points.

The Lightning improves to 12-5, 4-4 in league, while CVC falls to

7-10, 1-7.