Girls’ Basketball Roundup : Easterly Paces Katella Past Artesia by 30

Joni Easterly scored 23 points, with 14 rebounds and 4 assists to lead Katella High School to a season-opening 50-20 victory over Artesia Thursday at Katella.

Easterly, who made 12 of her 22 shots, scored 10 of her points in the first half as Katella built a 25-10 halftime lead. Easterly scored 4 more points in the third quarter before she was taken out with 2 minutes left in the period with Katella ahead, 33-12.

After Artesia narrowed the Katella lead to 33-14 as the third quarter ended, Artesia scored 6 unanswered points in the first three minutes of the fourth period to reduce the deficit to 33-20. Easterly, came back into the game 2 minutes into the fourth quarter, scored 9 points in the period as Katella scored 17 unanswered points in the game’s closing minutes to seal the victory.