By Corey Kwok
Friday December 28
Arcadia 56, Royal 48
Julie Aguirre (6 points, 10 rebounds) powered through and scored a decisive layup with 44 seconds remaining that gave a five point lead to Arcadia, who went on to win and, as a result, spoil Royal’s bid for a title game berth in the New Year’s Ball Tournament.
Each team had a standout scorer hitting the high 20’s. The tunes from Melody Chang were sweet indeed as she scored 29 points, including 10 points and seven free throws in the fourth quarter, to lead the Apaches. Bri Reser wreacked serious damage as well and tacked on 28 points for the Highlanders.
The game unfolded with neither team budging more than a four point advantage until Arcadia inched away late, and fans were treated to Reser vs. Chang as Bri had 17 and Melody had 14 at halftime.
Caira Benton (11 points, 8 rebounds) and Christina Huynh (8 points, 2 steals, 2 assists in second half) both contributed nicely for Arcadia as well.
La Salle 61, Pasadena Poly 50
La Salle emerged as the only perfect team from Pool B and earned its way to the New Year’s Ball championship match by finishing this game on a 16-7 run to cage the Poly Panthers.
Caroline (C.K) Knop has scored double-digits for La Salle in all three games and added 16 in this one against Poly. The Lancers were led in scoring by Kandyce Smith with 22 points.
The Panthers’ sophomore machine Kiki Yang (16), arriving with consecutive 20-plus efforts, had 10 at the half but was well honed in on by La Salle in the second half, where she was held without a field goal and settled for six free throws.
FSHA 47, Village Christian 34
Dana Budzyn (18) and Casey Johnson (16) combined to match Village Christian’s point total and lead the Tologs to its first win in the tournament.
The Crusaders received 16 points from Sammie Pyros and another 14 out of Aubrey Pyburn.
Golden Valley 52, La Cañada 39
Golden Valley continues to build on itself as the most improved team in the tourney and wrapped up back to back victories by building a comfortable lead atop a LC squad that hampered itself by poor play in the second and third.
Mariah Madison (21) scored 13 in the third and again led the Grizzlies, who got help from Keilani Conner (9), Ashley Oliver (9), and six by Cherokee Cardriche.
The Spartans’ Courtney Chen had only three points to show for in the first half and finished with 14.
Moorpark 71, Hart 37
Moorpark had little trouble overwhelming Hart, leading 41-18 at halftime, and easily careened into the title game behind a feast off of turnovers, consistent transition scoring, and dominance on the boards.
Leah Daley pounded in 29 points, while Paige Peel (17 points, four three-pointers) and a wickedly fancy post player in Britney Dixon-Bell (13 points) did most of the other damage to fuel the Musketeers.
Breze Kimble led the Indians’ in scoring for the third consecutive game with 13 points in this affair. Nikki Aganian added 11 off the bench and freshman Julia White tapped in nine points.
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