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Players and coaches from the home team celebrate after winning Friday’s opener. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
After a low scoring the first half, the girls game at the Santa Ana Prep Basketball Showcase featuring seniors from the six high school teams in the Santa Ana Unified School District, had an exciting ending.
Teams were designated as away and home in the game at Godinez. The home team held on for a 39-38 victory and celebrated after the game, the first of two at the showcase, presented by Godinez High School and the RAYA Foundation.
The home team used a tenacious defense in the first half to move out to a 21-13 lead after two quarters.
However, the away team battled back to cut the lead to three points going into the final quarter and move out to a 36-35 lead on a 3-pointer by Ava Walker (Century) with 2:35 remaining in the game.
The home team responded and took a 39-38 lead on a basket by Kayla Manu ((Saddleback) with 1:15 left, and that turned out to be the difference. The away team had a couple chances inside the final 40 seconds to tie the game but couldn’t convert on free throws.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
The home team forced a turnover in the final seconds to clinch the win.
“It was a good experience going out there and beating a bunch of different players who were all at the same experience level,” said Manu, who had five points. “It was hard, we had to get the defense together, we had to make sure we were all on the same page with offense. But we came out and did what we had to do and took care of business. We represented our schools and I think that’s all that really matters.”
Manu was thrilled to get the big basket at the end.
“At that point, honestly I was frustrated but I knew I had to do something to get us on that board and put us back in the game. So I told myself, ‘we’re going to make it happen.’ I got the ball, outside of the paint isn’t my thing, but in basketball, you got to take risks. I took the risk, made it and I said like, ‘thank you Jesus,’” said Manu who plans to attend University of Oregon and study neuroscience.
Stephany Hernandez (Santa Ana Valley) and Lucy Medina (Santa Ana) led the home team with eight points each.
The away team was led by Mariana Lugunas (Godinez) who had 16 points and Walker, who had 15 points.
Away coach AJ Alaman (Godinez) expressed pride in his team’s comeback.
“I’m glad that we battled back,” he said. “We went down by double digits in the beginning. Any time you get the girls together with one day of practice, it’s kind of hard …. especially offensively. But we settled down and settled the nerves down and started knocking down some shots. I’m proud of how the girls came out and played hard. Free throws and lay-ups, that’s what it usually comes down to.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
