Pioneers win two tourneys

PROVIDENCE HIGH -- The Providence High girls’ and boys’ basketball

teams take pride in their togetherness.

The Pioneer squads proved they are also in sync when it comes to

winning, as both teams simultaneously captured tournament

championships.

On December 28, the Pioneer girls took home the title in the Santa

Maria Valley Christian Tournament, while the boys’ were victorious in

the Bishop Tournament.

“I was kind of neat, both of the teams were keeping in touch about

their tournament by cell phone,” Providence Athletic Director and

girls’ Coach Andrew Bencze said. “And when the boys’ won their

tournament, we could hear all the yelling and cheering over the

phone.”

The Providence boys’ defeated Dayton of Nevada -- the defending

tournament champion -- 69-47, to claim the championship.

The Pioneers (9-1) were sustained by Ian Breckenridge- Jackson,

who scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half and Harout

Messrelian, who tallied 16 of his 24 points in the second half.

Breckenridge-Jackson and Messrelian -- who had 14 three-pointers

in three games -- were co-most valuable players of the tourney.

Teammate Armen Yousefian was an all-tournament selection.

In the event, the Pioneers also defeated Lone Pine, 56-51, in

overtime and Mammoth, 84-20.

For the girls’ team, it defeated host Valley Christian -- ranked

No. 6 in CIF Southern Section Division VA -- 65-41, to nail down the

title.

Pioneer Megan Campbell had 17 points and nine rebounds in the win.

Teammates Natalie Guzman and Shannon Estreller were named to the all-

tournament team.

Providence opened the event with a 53-39 win against El Segundo.

Selina Tech paced the team with 16 points.

The Pioneers (9-2) also defeated Liberty League foe Encino Holy

Martyrs, 47-45, and Santa Clarita Christian, 43-26.