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.