Hart Beats Up Rio Mesa, 48-26

It wasn’t supposed to be this easy for Hart High on Thursday night against Rio Mesa in the first round of the Southern Section Division I-A girls’ basketball playoffs.

The Indians narrowly lost to the Spartans in the Thousand Oaks tournament in December. Candace Boller, Hart’s leading scorer in that game and for the season, watched this one in street clothes, sidelined with an injured left wrist.

So how come Hart had its way in a 48-26 victory at Valencia High?

“It was the best passing we’ve in our offense this year,” said Hart Coach Dave Munroe. “We patiently worked the ball around and got open shots.”

Hart will play Thousand Oaks in the second round.

The Indians (21-7) made their big push in the second quarter, holding Rio Mesa without a basket while making eight of 10 shots to take a 26-15 lead.

The score was 10-10 after the first quarter.

“I was a little surprised looking at the scoreboard,” said Jaclyn Kuptz, who scored 10 points. “[The coaches] told us at halftime to just keep it up.”

Kuptz and sophomore Melissa Harrison, who scored eight points in her second varsity game, helped pick up the slack for Boller.

Boller, who averages 15 points and nine rebounds, is expected to miss at least two weeks.

Hart also kept the ball away from 6-foot-1 center Chante Guggia, who made one of seven shots and finished with eight points.

“We did a great job of keeping the ball away from her,” Monroe said. “We expected a tougher time without Candace.”

Trina Ayala had nine points for Rio Mesa, third-place team from the Channel League.

Guard Jelene Daney had 11 points for Hart, the Foothill League champion. Amanda Hoaglund and Wendy Downen each added six points for Hart.

Hart initially had trouble dealing with the Spartan press, committing six turnovers in the opening quarter. But the Indians recovered, consistently moving the ball inside for good scoring opportunities.

Rio Mesa (17-8) finally broke a 12-minute drought from the field early in the third quarter on a three-point play by Ayala to cut the lead to 28-18, but the Spartans could not get closer than 10 points.

Rio Mesa was held to two points, a basket by Ayala with six minutes left, in the final quarter as Hart gradually extended the lead. Munroe was able to clear his bench in the final two minutes.