Taft Gets Defensive for Title

Nothing rattles the El Camino Real High girls’ basketball team like pressure defense.

And no team has exposed that weakness better than cross-town rival Taft, which defeated the Conquistadores for the second time this season, 60-42, Friday to clinch the West Valley League title at El Camino Real.

The Toreadors (20-1, 9-1 in league play), ranked No. 9 in The Times’ regional poll, scored 24 points off of El Camino Real turnovers and negated the Conquistadores’ size advantage with a quick transition game that led to numerous layups and open jump shots.

“This was one of our best games,” Taft Coach Mark Drucker said. “We played solid for 32 minutes. Our pressure really bothered them and it got us into a tempo that we wanted. We knew this would come down to their size against our speed.”

The game was similar to Taft’s 61-41 victory over El Camino Real on Jan. 24. As in the first meeting, senior guard Christina Aguinaga led Taft in scoring, getting 21 points this time, including three three-point baskets. The transfer from El Camino Real had three steals and three assists.

Taft’s Schquay Brignac, who sat out most of the first game in foul trouble, had 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Denisha McCoy had five steals and eight assists for the Toreadors, who had 16 steals.

Center Karen Shun led El Camino Real (24-7, 7-3) with 22 points and 10 rebounds despite being guarded by Brignac, among the league’s best defenders.

Taft extended a 26-12 halftime lead with a 9-0 third-quarter run.