EMPIRE LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Cypress Beats El Dorado for Third Title in Four Years

After a one-year hiatus, Cypress returned to capture its third Empire League title in four years by beating visiting El Dorado, 51-43, Friday.

El Dorado (17-7, 7-3), which tied Katella for the co-championship last season, was looking to gain another co-championship by beating the Centurions. However, Jessica Eggleston’s 34 points prevented that.

“She had a career game,” Cypress Coach John Selbe said. “Jessica rose to the occasion tonight.”

The third quarter proved to be the difference, as Cypress (23-3, 9-1) opened the half with a 7-0 run and outscored El Dorado, 12-4. Eggleston scored eight points in the quarter.

But Eggleston owned the second quarter, scoring 15 points and leading the Centurions back from a 17-13 first-quarter deficit.

“My teammates did a great job of getting me the ball,” Eggleston said. “They were always looking to get the ball to me and they did a good job of it.”

El Dorado controlled much of the first quarter, breaking Cypress’ full-court press.

“They did a real good job of attacking our press,” Selbe said. “They got some easy early baskets off the press.”

The Golden Hawks forced Cypress into five first-quarter turnovers and four in the second, but the Centurions tied the score at halftime, 31-31.

In the second half, El Dorado double- and triple-teamed Eggleston and Julie Adams down low in an attempt to force Cypress into outside shots.

“We felt as though we were better off trying to get the ball down low,” Selbe said. “We did have to force it at times, but once they got into foul trouble, it became a little easier.”

Adams had eight points and 13 rebounds. Shanna Renken led the Golden Hawks with 14 points.

In other league games:

Esperanza 52, Katella 43--Esperanza (15-9, 6-4) clinched a spot in the playoffs with its victory. Kristy Kierulff scored 15 points and Lindsay Foss scored 12 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter for the Aztecs. Katella is 12-8, 6-4.

Los Alamitos 37, Loara 33--Kristin Reyes had 11 points and nine steals and Stacey Nichols had 11 points and seven rebounds for host Los Alamitos (5-18, 1-9).