University races past Corona del Mar, 67-21

Bryce Alderton

What disappointed Corona del Mar High girls basketball coach James

Barkalow more than the 67-21 Pacific Coast League loss to host

University Thursday night was the way his team played.

“I was more surprised at the lack of passion and desire to play,”

Barkalow said. “We came out extremely flat, which disappointed me

immensely. We told [the girls] that [the Trojans] were going to

pressure and run-and-gun. They were ready to run and we weren’t.”

University junior guard Kirstin Garey led all scorers with 22

points, 20 in the first half, which ended with the Trojans ahead,

42-8, and well on their way to sending CdM its worst loss since a

76-22 drubbing against Rosary in the seventh game last season.

CdM shot just 2 of 20 in the first half and didn’t make a field

goal in the second quarter, getting all three of its points on free

throws.

Sophomore Kelly Kawata came off the bench to lead CdM (6-10, 1-2

in league) with five points, while reserves Allison Long, Allie

Duernberger and Kate Schulte all had three points.

With the Sea Kings trailing, 22-5, Barkalow benched his starters

to begin the second quarter and did the same with 5:17 left in the

third quarter and the Trojans leading, 48-10.

“Colleen Marks played well, but I was disappointed in the other

four seniors,” Barkalow said. “There was a lack of effort ... we

weren’t boxing out, didn’t rotate on defense and [Garey] scoring 20

points in the first half. What is that about?”

The Trojans (9-7, 3-0), who never trailed, shot 16 of 28 in the

first half (57.1%) and finished 50% for the game (26 of 52).

A Long layup off an assist from Megan Benbow with 37 seconds left

in the third quarter was the first CdM field goal in an 18:14 span.

“We haven’t shot like that all year,” University Coach Bob Bernal

said. “The last three games [all wins] have been much better. Earlier

in the year we couldn’t guard [anyone].”

Freshman guard Casey Gomez came off the bench to score 12 points

on 6-of-8 shooting and made four steals. The Trojans disrupted CdM’s

offense by moving into passing lanes and pressuring the inbound

passer to force numerous turnovers.

“Bob has a great team,” Barkalow said. “They played good defense

and did the fundamental things that we didn’t.”

CdM received a scare late in the game when Heeschen drove the lane

and rolled her left ankle, causing her to grimace in pain and fall to

the floor. She got up a few minutes later, barely able to put any

weight on the leg.

“I think it’s a sprained ankle. She should be OK,” Barkalow said.

*--*

Pacific Coast League

University 67, Corona del Mar 21

Score by Quarters

CdM 5 3 6 7 -- 21

Uni 22 20 14 11 -- 67

CdM -- Snell 2, Benbow 0, Marks 0, Stern 2,

Heeschen 3, Schulte 3, Duernberger 3, Skalla

0, Wayte 0, Long 3, Kawata 5, Wadhwa 0. 3-pt.

goals -- Kawata 1. Fouled out -- None.

Technicals -- None. University -- Sutter 2,

Howlett 5, Kleinsmith 3, Garey 22, Newsome 6,

Gomez 12, Backus 6, Briggs 2, Kauker 6, Lee

2, Palmer 1, Burkhard 0. 3-pt. goals -- Garey

2. Fouled out -- None. Technicals -- None.

*--*