Alemany Whistles to Victory

The girls’ basketball teams at Alemany and Burroughs highs have several things in common.

They’re both nicknamed the Indians, they’re favored to win their leagues and they will probably wake up this morning with whistles ringing in their ears.

In a sloppy game that featured 47 fouls, 62 free throws and 36 turnovers, Alemany prevailed, 68-45, on Wednesday night at L.A. Baptist High.

“Just chalk it up to the start of the season,” said Coach Doug Nicol of Burroughs.

“If these two teams were to play later in the season, I don’t think you’d see this kind of game.”

It’s a good thing. Watching it once was painful enough.

Rarely did the teams make it up and down the court twice in a row without a whistle.

By the end of the third quarter, guard Kelly Beckler of Alemany had fouled out and three other players were on the bench with four fouls.

Alemany (1-0), ranked No. 3 in the region by The Times, is traditionally a fast starter.

“I don’t understand this,” Coach Melissa Hearlihy of Alemany said. “We usually start out the season like gangbusters.”

Alemany did this time, as well. At least, for a while.

Using superior quickness, Alemany throttled No. 10 Burroughs (1-1) and talented freshman point guard Shaina Zaidi, breaking out to a 24-8 lead after one quarter.

With Rice-bound guard Kate Beckler, the region’s top returning scorer, Alemany rarely allowed Burroughs to get into its set offense.

Beckler finished with 20 points and seven steals despite playing less than half the game and going to the bench in the third quarter with a gash on her neck.

Reserve guards Amy Lowe and Julie Mullins each added 10 points for Alemany.

Sophomore Gracie Coronado scored 22 points and Esther Thompson added nine points for Burroughs, which made 17 of 34 free throws.

Zaidi, who averaged 20 points during summer league, scored four points.

Alemany made 16 of 28 free throws.