By Joe Snyder
Gardena High’s girls’ basketball team split their two Marine League games by crushing host Rancho Dominguez Prep 60-11 on Jan. 22 in Long Beach before falling to Carson 45-34 last Friday at Carson.
Gardena head coach Tracy McNeil pointed out that cold shooting hampered the Lady Panthers. In fact, after the Panthers’ win over the Lobos on Jan. 22, she had her team run up and down the court several times due to numerous missed easy shots where Gardena could have defeated Rancho Dominguez by even more.
The cold shooting was even worse against a very good Colt team, that currently leads the Marine League at 4-0 while Gardena is 2-2.
The Panthers’ defense, though, exceled in both games, even in the loss to Carson.
Against a struggling Lobo squad, which scored a combined total of six points in its losses to Carson (69-2) and Narbonne (52-4), Gardena scored the game’s first 15 points before Mikea Lynn Baylor made one of two free throws.
The Panthers led 17-1 after the first period and 37-8 at halftime as their win was well in hand. Gardena proceeded to outscore Rancho Dominguez 23-3 (including shutting out the Lobos 8-0 in the fourth quarter) in the second half, which was mostly running time on the clock.
Lyniya Watson and Sanahya Hubbard shared the Panthers’ high scoring honors with 12 points, apiece. Shania Overton added nine points.
Gardena started out well against Carson with a 21-17 lead but the Colts’ pivotal 17-2 third period proved to be the difference in the game.
After hosting Narbonne on Wednesday, the Panthers visit San Pedro on Friday and Banning in Wilmington next Wednesday in 4:30 p.m. league games.
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North loses first Bay League game to Mira Costa
A few weeks ago, North Torrance High’s girls’ basketball team recorded an impressive 67-42 win over Mira Costa at North, which entered last Friday’s Bay League showdown at Mira Costa in Manhattan Beach.
Last Friday, the Lady Mustangs turned things around with a 52-38 victory. Mira Costa, which is now tied for first place with the Saxons with 5-1 records, was led by Kristyn Kim with 21 points, including four three-point baskets. Jada Martin had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
The Mustangs started out by scoring the game’s first eight points but North closed the gap to four points (25-21) at halftime. Mira Costa, though, pulled away in the second half, including leading 43-31 after three quarters.
The Saxons were led by Keimi Santiago with 14 points.
North fell to 13-5 overall.
The Saxons visited West last Tuesday and will be at home for another showdown against third place Redondo (4-2 in league) Friday at 5:30 p.m. North defeated the host Sea Hawks 52-45 earlier in league. The Saxons finish the Bay at home against Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Serra won two of three Camino Real League games last week. The Lady Cavaliers played on Jan. 20 and 21 against St. Paul and easily defeated the Swordswomen in both contests. At Serra on Jan. 20, the Cavaliers rolled over St. Paul 60-18. A day later at St. Paul, Serra cruised to a 58-19 win. Last Friday at Bishop Amat in La Puente, the Cavaliers were not as successful as the Lancers avenged their earlier loss to Serra rolling to a 51-29 victory.
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Mariyah Lewis led the Cavaliers with 24 points, six more than the entire St. Paul team. Kaisia Snelson chipped in 12 points.
A day later, Snelson and Lewis shared Serra’s high scoring honors with 11 points each. Fijam Williams contributed 10 points.
Jadan Foster and Snelson led the Cavaliers with seven points, apiece, in their loss to Bishop Amat.
Serra hosted Alhambra Ramona Convent last Tuesday and visit CRL leading St. Joseph High in Lakewood Saturday at 6 p.m. The Cavaliers close league at home against Cantwell-Sacred Heart from Montebello next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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Gardena picks up wins over Rancho Dominguez and Carson schools
Gardena High’s boys’ basketball team played two home games last week and came out on top by edging Long Beach Rancho Dominguez Prep 58-57 on Jan. 22 and Carson 50-45 last Friday.
Returning starting guard Willie Denham had two outstanding games as he led the Panthers with 27 points against the Lobos and 20 against the Colts, last year’s CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division III champion. Alijah Perkins was second on the team in scoring with 10 points against Rancho Dominguez and 14 versus Carson.
After visiting Narbonne in Harbor City on Wednesday, the Panthers host San Pedro Friday at 4:30 p.m., seeking to avenge their 67-62 loss to the host Pirates on Jan. 16. Gardena hosts Wilmington Banning next Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
North Torrance High’s boys’ basketball team moved into first place with a 4-1 Pioneer League record by topping cross town rival South Torrance 62-53 last Friday. In a Martin Luther King, Jr. Showcase Classic on Jan. 20, the Saxons lost 45-42 in overtime to Bellflower.
After visiting West Torrance on Tuesday, North hosts El Segundo on Friday and Torrance next Tuesday in 7 p.m. league games.
Serra fell to 11-14 overall and 0-8 in the Del Rey League with road losses to St. Monica 82-56 on Jan. 20 in Santa Monica and St. Paul 96-67 last Friday in Santa Fe Springs.
The Cavaliers hosted Del Rey leading St. Anthony from Long Beach last Monday and visited St. Bernard in Playa del Rey on Wednesday. Serra will have its final two league games at home against rival Bishop Montgomery from Torrance Friday and Downey St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy next Tuesday, both beginning at 7 p.m.
