DIVISION II-AA GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Hatch Is Back, Mustangs Win

After watching--and hearing--shot after shot clank off the rim during her last few games of the regular season, Trabuco Hills forward Dyanna Hatch finally figured out what might remedy her ailment: more shooting.

Hatch, who possesses a deft touch from three-point range, worked relentlessly during the days leading to Wednesday night’s Southern Section Division II-AA wild-card game against Garden Grove.

Bad break for Garden Grove.

The rejuvenated Hatch scorched Garden Grove for a game-high 25 points in leading the Mustangs to a 66-47 victory.

“I was struggling, so I worked on my ‘threes’ a lot in practice,” Hatch said. “I was kind of up and down the last few games, but I felt really good tonight.”

Said Mustang Coach Howard Stephens: “Her offense was definitely working.”

Hatch made two consecutive three-pointers to open the scoring, connecting on seven of 10. She broke her school single-game record of five, which she set earlier in the season.

Trabuco Hills (14-12), which finished third in the Pacific Coast League, will play Woodbridge in the opening round Saturday. Sea View League champion Woodbridge (25-0) is ranked second by The Times.

Stephens on playing Woodbridge: “I’ve seen them play twice this year and they don’t seem to have any weaknesses. Their athleticism is going to be difficult for us to handle, but we’re going to give it our best shot.

“We feel like we’re still trying to prove our worth to the (section). We weren’t too happy with having to get in on a wild card, and now we have to play the (top-seeded) team, but I guess that’s where the chips fall sometimes.”

Garden Grove (11-13) finished fourth in the Garden Grove League. The Argonauts were hurt by the absence of point Janine Shaw, who was academically ineligible for the playoffs.

“I don’t want to use (not having Shaw) as an excuse, but we did miss her,” Garden Grove Coach Marcia Foster said. “But they played a great game and hit their shots . . . especially (Hatch); she had a great game.”

After a relatively close first half, Trabuco Hills took control in the third quarter. The Mustangs turned a 28-19 halftime lead into a 34-19 advantage with 3 minutes 3 seconds left in the quarter.

The Argonauts cut the lead to six twice but could get no closer because of Hatch. Her three-pointer with 1:30 left in the third gave Trabuco Hills a 39-29 lead and it was not challenged again.