SEA VIEW LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Even Without Earle, Estancia Breezes Past Newport Harbor

The Estancia High School girls’ basketball team ended its two-game Sea View League losing streak with a 63-43 victory over Newport Harbor Tuesday night at Newport Harbor.

Without leading scorer and point guard Melody Earle, the Eagles (7-8, 1-2) struggled while losing to University and Saddleback. Earle chipped a bone in her left ankle in the opening round of the Marina Tournament. But she continued to limp through several games before sitting out the first two league games on the advice of her doctor, Estancia Coach Lisa McNamee said.

Tuesday night the Eagles again looked as if they would struggle without Earle’s 18 points a game, but Estancia outscored Newport Harbor, 26-11, in the fourth quarter to turn a close game into a rout.

Estancia took advantage of the boards and the Sailors’ 30 turnovers with Monique Sweet pushing the ball up court for easy transition baskets.

“We haven’t been able to get rolling without Melody,” Estancia Coach Lisa McNamee said. “Tonight we had other people respond offensively.”

Those other people were sophomore Sweet and senior Liz Collins. Sweet, who had been averaging 14 points, stepped up her offensive production. She led all scorers with 26 points. Collins responded on the boards grabbing 19 rebounds and scoring 12 points. Estancia continually scored second-chance baskets when Sweet wasn’t pushing the ball up court, but the real key was defense.

“I told them at halftime that Stacey Giem was getting a little bit frustrated on offense, and she basically is their offense,” McNamee said. “No doubt about it, Patrice (Lumpkin) holding her down was the key to the game.”

Lumpkin scored 15 points and held Giem to 16. Jenni Hall added 13 for Newport Harbor (5-8, 1-2).

Estancia led, 41-38, with five minutes to play when Sailor point guard Alison Izumita left the game with her fifth foul. Collins sank both free throws, Lumpkin added a basket and Sweet, who was fouled, made her first free throw. She missed her second but Collins’ follow was good for a three-point play that put Estancia firmly in front, 48-38.

In other Sea View games:

University 44, Saddleback 30--Senior forward Denise Gandara scored 25 points and had 11 rebounds to lead University (12-4, 2-1). Sophomore center Tara Wolff had eight points, a career-high 20 rebounds and six blocked shots.

Tustin 66, Corona del Mar 29--Christine Garner had 21 points and Nancy Vinh had 12 as Tustin (14-5, 3-0) outscored host Corona del Mar 24-1 in the fourth quarter.