No. 6 Woodbridge Remains Undefeated

Woodbridge began defense of its Sea View League co-championship Tuesday against a team that already had knocked off two top-10 teams from Orange County, and, after a slow start in the first quarter, was poised to add a third.

But the unbeaten Warriors, ranked sixth, refused to oblige and won their 16th consecutive game by defeating Laguna Hills, 56-41.

Despite the final outcome, Laguna Hills hung tough, taking advantage of 10 turnovers by Woodbridge in the second quarter and trailing by only four midway through the third.

Then Woodbridge began hitting the shots that helped it turn back every opponent this season. Woodbridge closed the third quarter with a 9-2 run, capped by Kelsi Sousa’s three-point basket, her first field goal. Sousa, who averaged 18.3 points, did not score for the first 19 minutes but had two three-point baskets during a 17-4 run that extended into the fourth quarter. Woodbridge made 10 of 18 field goals in the second half.

It was a disappointing turnabout for Laguna Hills, which fell behind in the opening minutes, 12-2, but took the lead in the second quarter, 17-16, and trailed 25-24 in the third.

“We had some wide-open looks that didn’t fall, some threes that rimmed in and out, a few lapses on defense where we didn’t get back, and that’s all it takes against a good team like Woodbridge,” said Jim Martin, Laguna Hills’ coach.

Lara Gray scored 16 for Woodbridge. Megan Aaker scored 18 for Laguna Hills (11-7, 0-1).