Laguna toes the line

Mastery of free throws helps Breakers win their basketball league opener against Beckman High.Injuries and a not-so-hot showing during holiday tournament play could have caused a setback to the Laguna Beach High girls’ basketball team.

Instead, the Breakers showed their character during Wednesday’s 45-42 victory over visiting Beckman in the Pacific Coast League opener for both teams.

Laguna (3-9 overall) controlled the game from the outset, then used the free-throw line to put the game away in the second half.

Emily LaRose hit a pair of three-point baskets and finished with 15 points. Tess Grogan hit all four of her free-throw attempts en route to 11 points, and Lauren Kelly went five-of-six from the line to finish with nine points.

“We set the tone for the game and came out strong in the first quarter,” Laguna coach Nicholas Ilagan said. “We without a doubt won the game at the free-throw line. Beckman put us at the line a lot in the second half, and we were able to knock down free throws to win the game.

“The bright spot of the game was definitely the three starting sophomores, who combined for 35 of our 45 points.”

In previous action, Laguna tuned up for PCL play by competing at the Garden Grove Christmas Classic.

The Breakers used a second-half rally to force overtime in defeating host Garden Grove, 45-40. Laguna rallied from a nine-point deficit after three quarters to force overtime, in which they outscored the Argonauts, 7-2.

LaRose led all scorers with 19 points. Teammate Haley Eaves finished with 10 points.

In third-round action at the tournament, Cal Hi of Whittier turned the tables on Laguna by rallying in the fourth quarter to pull out a 38-35 victory.

The Condors trailed, 28-25, heading into the fourth quarter.

LaRose again topped all scorers, this time with 14 points. Grogan scored 10 more for the Breakers.

Laguna also fell to Trabuco Hills, 63-46, in tournament action. Lauren Delgado scored 14 points and Grogan 13 for the Breakers.

“We took a beating during the break,” Ilagan said. “We lost another starter to an injury when Chelsea Hairston went out with a lower-back injury. She is our best defender. Early reports say she will be out three to four weeks.

“We had great games throughout the tournament from Lauren Kelly, Haley Eaves and Tess Grogan. Emily LaRose showed flashes of greatness.”

The coming week again will test Laguna’s resolve.

In a five-day period, the Breakers face Northwood Monday, Calvary Chapel on Wednesday and University on Jan. 13.

“Next week will make or break this season,” Ilagan said. “All three teams have winning records and have been playing well.

“The bright side is that we will hopefully have two all-league players returning to the team. Claire Bevacqua, an all-CIF player, will be reinstated from a suspension, and Brittany Clark, who has been on medical leave, should be cleared. Getting Brittany back on the court is essential to the success of this team. It will move Emily LaRose back to an off-guard position and take a lot of pressure off her.”20060106isn41rncNo Caption20060106isn42bncPHOTOS BY DON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Laguna’s Emily LaRose, right, tries to contain the ball at midcourt as a Patriots opponent tries to steal it during second half. Laguna’s Lauren Kelly is grabbed and fouled as she puts up a shot in first half.