Big second quarter propels Flintridge Prep basketball past Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
LA CAÑADA —It was a forgettable second quarter for the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy basketball team in its home contest with Flintridge Prep.
By the same token, the Rebels took advantage of the Tologs’ struggles, building a double-digit lead in the frame and eventually leaving little doubt to the outcome, as they cruised to a 51-33 win Thursday evening at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
PHOTOS: Flintridge Prep outscores FSHA in home contest
Flintridge Prep (7-1) outscored Flintridge Sacred Heart, 21-2, in the second, mainly due to a defense that caused seven turnovers and held the Tologs to no field goals on 10 attempts.
The Rebels offense capitalized on its opportunities to take a 25-point lead into the half, en route to defeating the Tologs (5-4) for the second consecutive season.
“We like to get out in transition and that starts on the defensive end,” Rebels Coach Kevin Kiyomura said. “We look to the early offense.”
Tala Ismail tallied 12 of her 14 points in the first half, as she aided in setting the tone for the Rebels.
“Usually, she likes to play one on one, but she’s learning different ways she can score with offensive rebounds and also on the defensive glass,” said Kiyomura of Ismail.
The second-year coach received a game-high 16 points from Renae Tamura.
With exception to the second quarter, the Tologs played the Rebels close, outscoring them, 24-17, in the second half and trailing by just six points after the first eight minutes.
Still, it was a second quarter Tologs Coach Ty Buxman hopes to never see again.
“We didn’t play defense and we didn’t shoot the ball,” he said. “We’re not going to beat anybody with 22 first-half turnovers. Aside from that, we played good defense and played them straight up.”
Kelly Fradet was the lone Tologs player to score in double figures with 10 points. The point guard also dished out four assists. Ellie DiPietro added eight points with Casey Johnson and Jenna Tran each chipping in with seven.
Flintridge Sacred Heart trailed by as many as 28 points in the third quarter, but responded with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Tran. Unfortunately for the Tologs, 16 points would be as close as they would get to the Rebels in the second half.
The Tologs led in the opening minutes of the first quarter, but a 6-0 run from the Rebels put them in front, 8-5, and they did not relinquish the lead thereafter.
“This is my second year and after last year’s win, I realize what kind of rivalry this is,” Kiyomura said. “It’s good to get the win. [Sacred Heart] played tough.”