University’s Title Gets High Rating From Coach

University Coach Bob Bernal likes television reruns, but he enjoys winning basketball titles more.

“This is better than an episode of Bonanza,” Bernal said after his Trojans beat visiting Estancia, 44-34, to win the Pacific Coast League girls’ title. “This is the best feeling I’ve ever had coaching.”

University entered the week in a three-way tie for first place, and beat both challengers, including Corona del mar on Tuesday.

University (15-10, 8-2) never trailed, going on a 10-0 run early in the first quarter to take a 12-2 lead it would never relinquish.

Estancia (15-10, 7-3) couldn’t get closer than eight points the rest of the game, shooting only 14.8% from the field in the first half and allowing University to build as much as a 15-point lead.

“We just couldn’t get any breaks tonight,” Estancia Coach Paul Kirby said. “We rely on our shooters, but the shots weren’t falling.”

Estancia appeared to have momentum going into the fourth quarter after cutting the Trojans’ lead to 11.

But a missed three-pointer and a charging call against the Eagles ended any thoughts of a comeback.

Trojan center Kirsten von Tungeln finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, both game highs, and Danielle Janda had eight points and nine rebounds.

Xochitl Byfield, the Eagles’ leading scorer at 11.2 points per game, was held to only four points. Lisa Hirata and Trisha Wase led the Eagles with eight points each.

The Trojans begin the Division I-AA playoffs next week, but Bernal knows advancing won’t be easy.

“Our division is so tough, but I think we can give anyone a game.”