Eagles push by Panthers

COSTA MESA — There isn’t a quarter in which Kassie Stratton can avoid contact in a girls’ basketball game.

The blows to the back, the midsection, the arms, the shoulders, and the knockdowns are becoming a ritual. Each time, the guard rises from the floor more motivated.

“It makes me want to retaliate,” Stratton said.

She’s finding out the best way is to light up the opposition. The junior has turned into scoring machine at Estancia High.

Stratton finished with 28 points and nine rebounds, lifting the Eagles to a 48-39 nonleague victory against Orange on Thursday night.

The night before, Stratton poured in a career-high 48 points. The Panthers did their best to slow her down in the same fashion other teams have tried to this season.

Punishing Stratton whenever she decides to attack the basket or pull up for a jumper isn’t working.

Stratton has been forced to increase her offensive workload with one key starter out at Estancia (5-5). Coach Xavier Castellano said point guard Erika Soto tore her right meniscus for the second straight season.

Soto played a vital role in the Eagles’ turnaround last season. With the senior likely out for the season, Estancia is trying to push forward.

“Right now, we’ve got to learn to play without her,” Stratton said. “I miss her. It’s tough not having her.”

Soto dressed for the game and delivered passes during warm-ups. The Eagles are a different team without Soto, whose energy and court savvy helped others get involved in the offensive flow.

After an even opening quarter, which saw Stratton go down hard three times, the Eagles went to their go-to player.

Stratton scored all of the team’s eight points in the second quarter as Estancia took an 18-17 lead into halftime.

Stratton accounted for 12 of the team’s total points. While she made five shots, the rest of the team went three for 14 from the field.

Stratton received scoring help to start the second half. Kelsey Asher scored four of her six points in the third quarter.

The game stayed close and Stratton gave the Eagles a three-point lead going into the final quarter. Off a long inbound pass from Yessenia Maldonado, Stratton converted a layup.

The inbound pass sparked Estancia’s offense. Nine times the Eagles scored off the pass, whether it came from underneath the basket, or from the sideline.

Jenny Boldizar burned Orange (5-4) when it decided not to guard her behind the three-point line on an inbound pass. Boldizar made the wide-open three, which came during Estancia’s 7-0 run, putting the team ahead, 41-35 midway through the fourth.

The Panthers managed to cut the deficit to two points. They once again forgot about another Estancia player standing behind the three-point line during an inbound pass.

That player was Stratton.

To her surprise, with no one around, Stratton received the pass at the top of the key. Before anyone could foul her, Stratton knocked down her second three-pointer of the game to put away the game for Estancia.

“My coach just says, ‘The more they foul you, the more respect they have for you,’ ” Stratton said. “They know that you can score and they try to take you out.”

The Eagles return to action Monday when they visit Capistrano Valley for a nonlague contest at 7 p.m.

Nonleague

Estancia 48, Orange 39

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Orange – Duarte 13, Lopez 8, Tucker 8, Knapp 6, J. Sanchez 4.

3-pt. goals – None.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

Estancia – Stratton 28, Soto 8, Asher 6, Boldizar 3, Stafford 2, Maldonado 1.

3-pt. goals – Stratton 2, Boldizar 1.

Fouled out – Fisher.

Technicals – None.