Girls’ basketball: Los Amigos continues resurgence
HUNTINGTON BEACH — Senior point guard Jennifer Murillo didn’t need anyone to say it to her to know how long the journey back has been.
The four-year varsity player remembered better times for Los Amigos High’s girls’ basketball program in the years leading up to her freshman season.
From 2011 to ‘13, the Lobos were quite relevant, going 29-1 in their Garden Grove League games.
The fall from grace took its toll. In Murillo’s first three years with the team, it averaged just seven wins a season.
Los Amigos has matched that total now, and the first league game won’t even take place until Jan. 11.
Cheryl Caldera had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and five steals, as the Lobos defeated Santa Ana, 54-40, Saturday in the Premier Flight Division championship game of the Hawk Holiday Classic at Ocean View High.
“It’s a nice feeling because we haven’t been here in a while,” Murillo said after winning the Premier Flight bracket. “We’ve been losing for the past few years, and it’s nice to be on top again.”
Murillo added 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists, as the Lobos (7-1), were able to pull away from the Saints (5-3) in the second half.
“She didn’t start playing basketball until she was a freshman, or any organized sport,” Lobos Coach Sabrina White said of Murillo. “She watched the girls of the past, and she wants to be like the ones that she saw before her.”
Los Amigos held a slim lead of 28-27 at the halftime break.
Caldera and Murillo had six and four points in the third quarter, respectively, a period in which the Lobos doubled up the Saints, 12-6.
Santa Ana’s last lead came at the 5:57 mark of the third, when forward Esperanza Reyes got a layup off a bounce pass from Emma Jaimes.
The teams had traded one-point leads on five occasions to that point in the third.
Los Amigos managed to push Santa Ana’s offense out to the perimeter. The Saints couldn’t get a shot to fall, and the Lobos capitalized. A three-pointer by Mary Rivera capped a 14-0 run, giving Los Amigos a 46-33 lead with 6:56 remaining.
Kacie Vazquez chipped in with five points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists for Los Amigos.
When Los Amigos defeated Mission Viejo in its final pool-play game, it was the first time that the Lobos had started a season 6-1 since the 2004-05 season.
One would think that a 7-1 record would be more than satisfying given the program’s recent history. The players think the fast start is nice, but they’re looking for more.
Murillo was coy in addressing those future goals.
“We’re going for something greater,” she said. “We’re not where we want to be yet.”
Asked to clarify their goals that they have yet to reach, Caldera took the question.
“CIF champs, not league champs,” Caldera said.
White seemed amused that her players were willing to speak about such lofty expectations after eight games. If they are willing to put that pressure on themselves, she is not going to stop them.
“I like to say, ‘Take it one game at a time,’ but I like how they’re not afraid,” White said. “Cheryl’s been at that level. She’s been in CIF Final games, so she wants to get back there.”
Hawk Holiday Classic
Premier Flight Championship
Los Amigos 54, Santa Ana 40
Los Amigos 15 - 13 - 12 - 14 — 54
Santa Ana 14 - 13 - 6 - 7 — 40
LA — Caldera 26, Murillo 17, Vazquez 5, Rivera 4, Rendon 2.
3-pt. goals — Rivera 1.
Fouled out — None.
Technicals — None.
SA — Garcia 8, Jaimes 7, Camarena 7, Zavala 5, De La Paz 5, Cruz 4, Gutierrez 2, Rueda 2.
3-pt. goals — Jaimes 1, De La Paz 1.
Fouled out — Cruz.
Technicals — None.
