GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Rancho Alamitos Steps Closer to Undefeated Regular Season

Rancho Alamitos continued its countdown to a possible undefeated regular season Friday night with a 70-55 high school girls’ basketball victory over host Kennedy.

Nineteen down, five to go.

“We’ve got a major emphasis on taking each game one at a time,” Rancho Alamitos Coach Bob Becker said. “We’re a good team, but we’re not good enough to look past anybody. If we take it one at a time, we have a good chance to go undefeated.”

Becker guided Rancho Alamitos to the Southern Section Division III-A finals last season in his first year at the school. He has 12 of 15 players back.

“These girls are establishing a winning tradition here,” Becker said.

Rancho Alamitos (19-0, 9-0 in the Garden Grove League) streaked out to a 43-21 halftime lead.

The closest Kennedy (13-6, 5-4) came in the game was 55-62 with 1 minute 20 seconds left after two free throws by Valerie Ruiz (22 points, eight steals). Lynly Matsumoto had 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Kennedy.

Guard Melinda Lira led Rancho Alamitos with 17 points.

Lira’s free-throw shooting clinched the game down the stretch after Kennedy pulled close.

Rancho Alamitos’ James sisters dominated the boards. Shannon James had 10 points and 12 rebounds and her sister Timmerie added six points and 10 rebounds.