EMPIRE LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Katella’s Balance Does Job Against El Dorado

A momentary lack of intensity prevailed over a complete lack of interest.

That was how, in part, the Katella girls’ basketball team managed a 62-50 victory over El Dorado in an Empire League game Tuesday night at Katella High.

The Hawks (13-2, 0-2) looked to be in control, and like they cared, as El Dorado jumped to a 16-9 lead in the first quarter. But after the Knights (13-2, 2-0) switched from a man defense to a 2-3 zone, everything bounced Katella’s way.

Katella’s Steph Toon hit on a jumper from the right wing to tie the score 20-20 early in the second quarter, and the Knights extended the momentum with a 12-3 run. The third quarter, during which El Dorado was held to four points, was all Katella.

And El Dorado Coach Gary Raya was all frustration.

Katella Coach Shelly Noble was mildly critical of her team’s inability to sustain its intensity throughout four quarters, but hers was nothing compared to Raya’s criticism of what he considered his team’s unenthusiastic approach to the game.

“They didn’t play hard, they didn’t play like a team,” Raya said. “They didn’t do the things you need to do to win, and (Katella) did.”

What seemed to affect the Hawks the most was Katella’s five-point attack. Everyone contributed in some way, and four of the five Knights who scored finished in double figures.

“We’re so balanced,” said Chris Carrillo, who had a game-high 21 points for Katella. “We knew after we made those adjustments, we’d be able to score.”

El Dorado was equally balanced in its scoring, led by Jody Caruso’s 13 points. Twice in the fourth quarter the Hawks pulled to within 11 points, but were was hurt when starter Angie Conley fouled out and three teammates followed.

In other games:

Cypress 61, Loara 43--Jessica Eggleston, a junior forward, scored 32 points in three quarters, making 14 of 16 shots from the field for host Cypress (11-5, 2-0).

Los Alamitos 58, Esperanza 48--Cavetra Mitchell had 18 points and Cindy Yamasaki added 15 for host Los Alamitos (8-7, 2-0). Heather Daiuhan had 11 points for Esperanza (0-2 in league).