GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Ocean View Overcomes Rosary

Two teams, new league, same goal.

Ocean View was the favorite with the outstanding defense. Rosary was the upstart with the potent offense.

Ocean View shot 11 of 13 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Rosary shot 24% from the field in the second half.

On the night when the Golden West League made its girls’ basketball debut, Ocean View showed why it is the likely candidate to become the league’s first champion. The Seahawks scored a 56-43 victory over the Royals on Thursday, shooting down the theory that Rosary is nearly unbeatable in its home gym.

“I was concerned; I think Rosary has a tremendous home-court advantage,” Ocean View Coach Ollie Martin said after his team improved to 8-7, 1-0 in league. “We’ve had a tough schedule, which has benefited us, but we need to get used to winning.”

Rosary (8-3, 0-1) was used to winning; the Royals were averaging 71.1 points but never scored more than 12 points in any quarter against Ocean View. The score was tied at 23 at halftime; the first of Erin Osajima’s three three-point baskets, and Kathleen Celio’s steal and basket gave Rosary a 28-23 lead early in the third, but the Royals finished four of 18 from the field in the quarter and Ocean View had a 39-33 lead going into the final eight minutes.

Ocean View made only three of five baskets in the fourth, but came up big at the free-throw line with 11 points--including its last nine.

“I was real happy with the way we finished; we showed some composure,” Martin said. “We feel we’re in the driver’s seat now because all the other teams have to come up here to play (Rosary).”

The Royals are 7-2 in home games; their only other home loss was to third-ranked Mater Dei.

Celio had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Rosary. Ocean View got 14 points, 19 rebounds and seven steals from Fraser; Jennifer Tuiolosega scored a game-high 16.

“They played great defense and stopped our running game,” Rosary Coach Rich Yoon said. “We always felt they were the favorite and that if we could beat Ocean View, we could beat anyone in this league.”

In other league games:

Tustin 59, Saddleback 45--Katie Scheuerman had 16 points and Alison Carr had 10 points and 10 rebounds for host Tustin (9-7, 1-0). Nicole Wiora led Saddleback (4-8, 0-1) with 19 points.

Westminster 45, Santa Ana 40--The Lions (8-7, 1-0) outscored Santa Ana, 15-2, in the second quarter to take a 28-12 lead. Freshman Kristin Schult led Westminster with 20 points and 11 rebounds. April Ramirez and Amber Farroux each added seven. Tanzenika Holmes had 19 points for Santa Ana (10-8, 0-1).