Girls’ Basketball : University Rallies in 4th for Win

After trailing for the first three quarters, the University High School girls’ basketball team put together a strong fourth-quarter effort to defeat Savanna, 36-27, Tuesday in an Irvine tournament consolation game at University High School.

Katie Ho, a senior point guard, led the Trojans with 11 points, including 7 in the last three minutes. University scored 19 points in the fourth quarter. In other Irvine tournament action:

Edison 68, Estancia 27--Effective fast breaks helped the Chargers in a first-round game at Woodbridge High School. Kristi Smith, a senior center, led the Chargers with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Irvine 37, Orange 35--The Vaqueros built a 28-18 halftime lead and held off the Panthers in a consolation quarterfinal game at Irvine High School. In nonleague action:

Newport Harbor 43, Laguna Hills 42--Christy Grebel, the Hawks’ 5-11 center, led Laguna Hills with 21 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Sailors won at Laguna Hills High School.

El Toro 73, Corona del Mar 31--Elaine Youngs led the Chargers with 24 points as El Toro won the season opener at El Toro High School. Magnolia 64, Los Amigos 18--Senior center Katie Donica supplied eight points in the first quarter to give the Sentinels a 22-3 lead at Magnolia High School. Santa Ana Valley 41, Laguna Beach 17--The Falcons recorded their first win this season at Laguna Beach High School.

Capistrano Valley 47, Bolsa Grande 42 (overtime)--After a 38-38 tie at the end of regulation, senior forward Caylin Combs scored eight points and had nine rebounds in overtime to lead the Cougars at Capistrano Valley High School.

Mater Dei 45, Huntington Beach 29--The Monarchs were led by Geri Gainey, a senior guard, who scored 9 of her 15 points in the third quarter. Stephanie Pemper led the Oilers with 13 points.

Westminster 48, Kennedy 46--Though the Irish led, 24-20, at halftime, the Lions took over in the third quarter with a full-court press that led to five steals and 10 points by Shannon Bates. Fountain Valley 58, Long Beach Poly 55--Senior forward Mellisa Handley led the Barons with 22 points at Long Beach Poly High.