Narbonne Warms Up by Making History

The Harbor City Narbonne girls’ basketball team prepared for its appearance in this weekend’s Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions by making history last weekend.

The Gauchos’ 63-46 victory over defending Division II state champion Brea Olinda was the Ladycats’ first loss in the 20-year history of the Brea tournament.

Narbonne, ranked No. 1 in the nation by several publications, outrebounded Brea, 54-17.

Narbonne forward Ebony Hoffman, who has signed with USC, had 16 points and had 11 rebounds. Guard Loree Moore, regarded as one of the top juniors in the nation, had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Brea center Chelsea Trotter had a game-high 25 points but only five rebounds for Brea Olinda (7-1).

“We thought we played well defensively,” Narbonne Coach James Anderson said. “We took away their three-point shooting and rebounded well. That was the difference.”

Narbonne opens play in the Tournament of Champions on Friday against Mt. Vernon of Virginia. If the Gauchos win, they will play the winner of the game between Oregon City and Christ the King of New York.

Anderson said victories over Hanford and Brea Olinda have prepared the Gauchos for the competition they will face in the 16-team National Invitational division of the four-division tournament.

“When you go against teams [from other parts of the country] that you have no way of scouting, you roll the dice,” Anderson said. “You just go out and play.

“Hopefully, we’ll do well and gain some experience for when we get to the state playoffs.”

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Defending City boys’ basketball champion Manual Arts is among the eight teams that will participate Dec. 20-23 in the 13th annual Pacific Open tournament at Washington High.

Washington, Los Angeles Jordan, Gardena, Hollywood, Roosevelt, Lincoln and Hawthorne are the other teams in the tournament.

The championship game will be played at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23.