Cypress Easily Handles Redondo

The Cypress girls’ basketball team defeated Redondo Beach Redondo Union, 83-45, in a Southern Section Division II-A playoff game Wednesday at Cypress to advance to the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season.

After the game started 20 minutes late because of a malfunctioning clock, the Centurions (25-3) quickly put their offense into high gear behind the trio of Jessica Eggleston, Julie Adams and Susan Flaming. Eggleston scored 38 points, 26 in the first half, while Adams added 24 and Flaming 16 as Cypress overwhelmed the Seahawks (16-9).

The Centurions’ full-court pressure worked to perfection, resulting in numerous turnovers that led to easy baskets. Cypress led, 25-11, after the first quarter. Eggleston and Adams controlled the boards, pulling down 13 and 11, respectively.

Cypress had the game well in hand early in the second half, but Cypress fans were able to watch Flaming break the Orange County single-season assist record.

Her assist on Vivian Cheung’s basket with 2 minutes 53 minutes left was her 299th this season, breaking the record of Mission Viejo’s Christie Wile, who had 298 in 1987.

“My teammates deserve the credit for this record,” Flaming said. “It’s great playing with Jessica and Julie because they’re two of the best finishers around. If one of them misses a shot, the other usually gets the rebound and puts it back in.”

The trio has played together for three seasons. With Eggleston averaging 29.5 points and Adams 17.3, it’s easy to see who was on the receiving end of most of Flaming’s assists.

“She does a great job of getting us the ball,” Adams said. “Susan really deserves the record.”

“It has been fun watching them improve each season,” Cypress Coach John Selbe said. “They work together well. Now we’ll see if we can get past the quarterfinals.”

The Centurions will play Troy, a 46-30 winner over Canyon, Saturday at a site to be determined.

“This was a good win for us,” Eggleston said. “Hopefully, it will give us the momentum we’ll need to keep going.”