Redondo Learns Five Is Greater Than One

Ofa Tulikihihifo was considered the best player on the Redondo Union girls’ basketball team, so when she tore ligaments in her right knee last June, it was a tremendous loss.

Yet, when the Sea Hawks step on the Arco Arena floor against Stockton St. Mary’s on Friday, trying to win their first state championship, the flash point of their success can be traced to Tulikihihifo’s injury.

A team that relied on Tulikihihifo to score and rebound had to learn to fend for itself.

“It was a great motivator, but it was a horrible thing that happened to her,” said Brittany Grice, a junior forward. “We’ve had to step up. We knew she could help us when she got back.”

That is exactly what happened. Redondo won four summer tournaments, then struggled in some tough early-season tournaments and started with a 5-6 record. The Sea Hawks (26-7) then won 21 of 22 games, beginning Jan. 2.

The presence of Tulikihihifo, a 5-9 senior forward, is as emotional as it is physical. She is a force, but now not the only force. She didn’t start playing significant minutes until late January. She’s not 100%, but she’s close enough to be taken seriously.

“It’s nice to be healthy,” Coach Marcello Enriquez said. “We average more points and we’re giving up less.”

Tulikihihifo is averaging 13 points and 9.8 rebounds, and Krista Areyan, a 6-0 senior forward, is averaging 10.8 points and six rebounds off the bench. The other four starters average between 7.2 and 8.4 points.

“They have good balance,” said Troy Coach Kevin Kiernan, whose team lost to the Sea Hawks in the Southern California Regional final, 53-39. “They got used to playing without [Tulikihihifo], and their big people developed, and now she’s back.”

Tulikihihifo says she’s about 90% of where she was before her injury. Her rehabilitation is driven by two losses: In 2000, Redondo beat Brea Olinda for the Southern Section title but lost to Brea in the regional finals. Last year, Redondo lost to Pasadena Muir in the Southern Section semifinals.

“That was the worst feeling in my life,” Tulikihihifo said.

If Redondo wins the title, it will do so with defense. The 39 points scored by Troy was the most given up by the Sea Hawks in their last four games.

“Anyone who beats Ventura by 16 [50-34] in Ventura, that’s not just a bad shooting night,” Kiernan said. “They’re playing some good defense.”

Only four times in the last 22 games has Redondo’s opponent scored more than 50 points, and none has scored more than 56. Redondo’s last loss was 12 games ago, 46-44 to Manhattan Beach Mira Costa.

“We’re not flashy, but that’s how we get things done,” Enriquez said. “We’ve got five players [on the floor] who play as one, who believe in the philosophy of working from the inside out, who are patient.

“We play great team defense. I honestly feel we’re one of the best defensive teams in the state.”

They have a chance to prove it Friday.

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GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

at Arco Arena, Sacramento

Friday

Division II: Redondo Union vs. Stockton St. Mary’s, 6 p.m.

Division IV: St. Bernard vs. Kentfield Marin Catholic, 2 p.m.

Saturday

Division I: Lynwood vs. Sacramento Kennedy, 6 p.m.

Division III: Bishop Montgomery vs. Orinda Miramonte, 1 p.m.

Division V: La Jolla Country Day vs. Modesto Christian, 9:30 a.m.