No. 6 El Toro Makes Most of Its Time Off, Wins Big
After going 14 days without a game as punishment for their fans’ behavior, the El Toro girls’ basketball players showed they put the time to good use.
Taking the floor Thursday for the first time since El Toro administrators imposed an indefinite suspension for incidents at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, the sixth-ranked Chargers routed Corona del Mar, 57-28, in a Sea View League opener.
The Chargers (10-3) made 17 of their first 30 shots, giving their fans plenty to cheer about--which is all they did in the gym of the Sea Kings (8-8). There was no jeering, no heckling, nothing except some whooping and singing “Happy Birthday” to Gioconda Mendiola, 18, when it was over.
Mendiola scored 19, making five three-point baskets. Giuliana Mendiola (four steals) scored 21.
El Toro Coach Vincent Avitabile said his players put the suspension to good use. They were more focused than ever during practices the last two weeks, then transferred it to the game. He cited Amy Rikimaru as an example. She scored nine in the first quarter and sparked a 13-0 run with a three-point play and three-point basket to take a 20-7 first-quarter lead.
Corona del Mar Athletic Director Jerry Jelnick declined El Toro’s offer to split expenses for additional security to deal with potential problems in the stands. “I didn’t think we needed it,” Jelnick said.
El Toro supporters allegedly attacked a 15-year-old boy after a game in Santa Barbara, and harassed players in the tournament hotel. The school responded by pulling the team from the Marina tournament two days later, and imposed a spectator policy Monday.
In other Sea View League games:
Irvine 45, Newport Harbor 40 (OT)--Freshman Kristin Thawley scored six of her 16 points in overtime and Jody Carlson had 12 points and nine rebounds for host Irvine (12-4, 1-0). Thawley scored on an offensive rebound to tie it, 36-36, with four seconds remaining in regulation.
Santa Margarita 37, Woodbridge 34--Daniell Bennett led host Santa Margarita (10-5, 1-0) with 12 points.