GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : El Toro Tightens Its Hold on First Place

The El Toro High School girls’ basketball team strengthened its grip on first place in the South Coast League with a 63-33 victory over visiting Mission Viejo Thursday night.

Charger Coach Deni Christensen expected a much closer game after the Chargers won their first-round match with the Diablos, 61-56.

But El Toro’s 2-3 zone defense smothered Mission Viejo, limiting the Diablos to 18.2% shooting from the floor in the first half. The Chargers (14-6, 7-0 in league) jumped to a 30-6 lead at 3 minutes 20 seconds of the second quarter and a 36-13 margin at halftime. Mission Viejo is 9-11, 3-4.

Tracy Heiser led the Charger attack with 20 points, nine assists and six steals. Megan Rehwoldt contributed 14 points, and center Lisa Jewett pulled down 13 rebounds and five steals. Mission Viejo’s Carrie Burt scored 10 points.

“We played outstanding defense in the first half,” Christensen said. “Tracy had a great game. She’s a phenomenal athlete.”