There Is Plenty in Reserve for Short-Handed Oxnard

The top scorer in Oxnard High’s lineup was a distant memory.

So, as it turned out, was Channel Islands’ winning streak.

Playing without injured forward Memory Rhone, Oxnard put together a strong defensive effort and got some unexpected offense from several sources to claim a 58-46 victory over the Raiders in a Pacific View League opener at Channel Islands.

Rhone, an all-league player who was averaging 10.8 points, sprained her right ankle during a pregame shoot-around and spent the game at the end of the bench with an ice bag.

“We played with a lot of heart,” said reserve guard Tiffany Walker, who scored 15 points. “That was a big victory because now we know that we can win without anyone.”

And they can do it against a quality team.

Channel Islands (14-1), ranked No. 4 in the region by The Times, came in with a loaded lineup, three tournament championships and the area’s best record.

But the Raiders were colder than Rhone’s ankle.

They made only 12 of 76 shots (16%) and went five minutes with making a basket in the fourth quarter.

The Yellowjacket defense had something to do with that.

Walker hounded Chenne Tuimoloau, Channel Islands’ All-Ventura County point guard who made two of 24 shots--both three-point bank shots from the top of the key--and scored 10 points.

Monique Taylor, the Raiders’ leading scorer, had 17 points and 16 rebounds, but made only 3 of 23 shots and 11 of 18 free throws.

“You play on a high for so long, you go 14-0, but you know you can’t be perfect,” said Coach Pat Bell of Channel Islands. “You know you’re going to have a bad game at some point. It just came at the wrong time.”

Coach Ryle Lynch-Cole of No. 7 Oxnard (11-5) was pleased with the victory, but wasn’t ready to claim the inside track for the league title.

“That’s only one,” he said. “It’s a long season, and they weren’t 14-0 for nothing.”

Last season, Oxnard, Channel Islands and Camarillo split their games with each other and finished in a three-way tie for the league championship.

Camarillo, which hosts Oxnard on Tuesday and Channel Islands on Thursday, also figures in the race.

The Yellowjackets trailed, 12-6, after one quarter.

By halftime, Oxnard led, 29-23, and extended the lead to 16 points on three occasions.

Sarah Queen, filling in for Rhone, had 11 points, as did guard Sienna Abraham. Sara Wilkins added seven points and 17 rebounds.

The Yellowjackets shot 45% (24 of 53) and outrebounded the Raiders, 37-27.