Bevacqua sets a record as Eagles get win

Laguna senior nets 31 points in 59-55 loss to Calvary Chapel.Claire Bevacqua scored a school-record 31 points Wednesday night, but it was visiting Calvary Chapel who scored a 59-55 victory over Laguna in Pacific Coast League girls’ basketball action Wednesday at Dugger Gym.

Laguna was forced to start five post players against the Eagles, as starters Brittany Clark and Emily LaRose were sidelined by injury and illness, respectively.

“I thought that we did an excellent job on defense,” Laguna coach Nicholas Ilagan said. “Our full-court press and half-court zone really were effective.”

The Breakers held the league’s top scorer, Chelsea Deluca, to 12 points.

“We got very good performances from freshmen Katie Daff, senior Haley Eaves and sophomore Lauren Kelly,” Ilagan said, adding that Bevacqua set the school scoring record while running the point-guard position.

On Monday, Laguna Beach dropped a 72-51 game to host University. Bevacqua began a big week of scoring by netting 28 points against the Trojans.

Laguna played without Clark, who injured herself in a previous game against Northwood, and starter Tess Grogan, who had the flu.

“Losing your point guard [Brittany Clark] is like losing your quarterback,” Ilagan said. “The point guard is your leader on the floor, and without her it takes a lot from everyone else.

“We had a tough time getting into any kind of offense from the tipoff. Without Brittany and Tess [Grogan], we had a tough time getting any offense going as a team.”

Laguna also fell to Northwood, 87-50.

In that game, Clark scored 18 points to lead Laguna, but behind the scoring of Jen Tamminen (24 points) and Rachel Hodges (19 points), the visiting Timberwolves had too much offensive punch.

“It was a very physical game from the tip,” Ilagan said. “We hung in there in the first quarter, and then stuff went south.

“They are a very good team, and I emphasize team. They play very well with each other and do not miss shots.”

Early in the fourth quarter, the Breakers got a scare when Clark was injured and removed from the gym on a stretcher.

“It was definitely a scary moment early,” Ilagan said. “You never want to see that, and it was tough for our team.”

Up next for the Breakers is a Monday date at Corona del Mar. Laguna wraps up its regular season by hosting Tesoro Wednesday.

“I am excited for next week,” Ilagan said. “I feel that our defense has been much better, and I am anxious for the girls to get out there and face their league rival at Corona del Mar.”

In boys’ basketball:

Laguna notched its third league victory by defeating visiting Calvary Chapel, 64-53. Guard Cheyne Martin, who hit four three-point baskets, blistered the net for 29 points, and Ian Butters and Jeff Clark each scored 10.

On Monday, University held off visiting Laguna, 59-52. Martin posted 20 points, and Clark and Brian Delino each scored 10.

In a previous game, Laguna couldn’t recover from a slow start against visiting Northwood and lost to the Timberwolves, 52-36.