Elliott posts full stat line in debut for Sage Hill girls’ basketball

Freshman Emily Elliott made quite the statement in her high school basketball debut for Sage Hill School on Tuesday.

Elliott had 10 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks, six steals, and two assists to send the Lightning to a 48-39 season-opening victory over El Modena in the Corona del Mar Tip-off Tournament.

“As an individual, I wanted to make my goal of scoring at least six points,” Elliott said. “[Also], being good on defense and trying not to foul, keeping my space from everyone on defense.”

The 6-foot center shined on a night where Lightning coach Kerwin Walters was unsure of what he might see from his team. Apart from the usual rust that comes with starting a new season, Sage Hill (1-0) also saw Daily Pilot Dream Team selection Heather Park transfer to Orange Lutheran for her junior year.

“I just didn’t know what to really expect,” Walters said. “Last year, Heather was a huge part of what we did. She is definitely sorely missed.

“Trinity [Cha] has made some great strides in her new role. We have talent all around. It’s just a matter of putting the pieces together. I’m just not 100 percent sure of how it is going to come out.”

As Sage Hill’s primary ball-handler, Cha produced nine points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds. She also hit one of her team’s two three-pointers.

Kenna Knollenberg (five points) knocked down the other three-pointer. Walters said the senior was benched in the first half for missing practice.

“We need more from our leaders,” Walters said.

Sage Hill jumped out to an 18-6 lead after the first quarter. Nataly Shayan-Smith had six points, and Kate Knollenberg and Cha each had five points in the frame. Knollenberg had a game-high 11 points

After trailing 25-16 at halftime, El Modena managed to cut Sage Hill’s lead to 27-25 in the third quarter.

With the game up for grabs, Sage Hill sped up the pace of the game, using its full-court press to force turnovers and limit attempts at their basket.

“Our [objective] is to keep the game pace up,” Walters said. “What we do, when we do it right, it can be something special. We just have to keep it up.”

Sophomore small forward Zoe Mazakas had four points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two assists for Sage Hill in the contest.

El Modena (0-2) was willing to run with Sage Hill. Eight players scored for the Vanguards, led by Micely Cabrera’s 10 points and two three-pointers.

Katherine Akemi-Takaji and Brianna Bennett each added eight points, and Allyson Conner grabbed 13 rebounds for El Modena.

*

Sage Hill 48, El Modena 39

SCORE BY QUARTERS

El Modena 6 – 10 – 11 – 12 — 39

Sage Hill 18 – 7 – 10 – 13 — 48

EM – Cabrera 10, Akemi-Takaji 8, Bennett 8, Tjoa 4, Reyes 3, B. Garcia 2, J. Garcia 2, Conner 2.

3-pt. goals – Cabrera 2, Akemi-Takaji 2, Reyes 1.

Fouled out – Cabrera.

Technicals – None.

SH – Ka. Knollenberg 11, Elliott 10, Cha 9, Shayan-Smith 6, Ke. Knollenberg 5, Mazakas 4, Jogwe 3.

3-pt. goals – Cha 1, Ke. Knollenberg 1.

Fouled out – None.

andrew.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @ProfessorTurner