Breakers play Sea Kings tough, but still fall

Records went out the window Tuesday when rivals Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar met in nonleague girls’ basketball action.

Laguna, which came into the game with one victory, played a 14-win Corona del Mar team tough throughout, but eventually dropped a 52-39 decision at the Sea Kings’ gym.

“I thought it was one of our better games of the year,” Laguna Coach Jon Hendrickson said. “Corona del Mar entered the game with a 14-2 record, but we hung with them and actually only trailed by single digits late in the fourth (quarter).”

Laguna’s strong effort included Sam Garner with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, Emily Writer with 13 points and five assists and Katie Daff finished off the Laguna’s scoring with five points, to along with six blocks.

The Breakers opened Orange Coast League play Thursday at Godinez. The score wasn’t available at press time.

“We are now 1-11 overall, but I believe we are peaking at the right time. Crazy to say, I know, but we still believe we have what it takes to make it to CIF for a second year in a row. The girls are playing with more confidence and we are trying to get more girls involved.

“We need to get better on the boards and get more scoring from our fourth and fifth starters and if we can do that, we can be a threat in league play.”

Heading into Thursday’s game at Godinez, Writer was the team’s leading scorer with 215 points (17.9 avg.). Garner has played in 10 games and is averaging 8.7 points per game. She has 124 rebounds and 39 blocks through the Corona del Mar game. Daff, meanwhile, had 84 points, made 14 three-point shots and had 29 blocks in her first 11 games.

Laguna won its first game during the holiday break, beating Beckman, 50-38, at the Garden Grove Tournament on Dec. 27.

“” Mike Sciacca