Girls basketball: Eagles defeat Laguna Beach, 65-13

Richard Dunn

LAGUNA BEACH - In a tuneup for an early Pacific Coast League

showdown, Estancia High’s Eagles took care of host Laguna Beach, 65-13,

in PCL girls basketball action Thursday night.

Coach Paul Kirby’s Eagles (10-7, 2-0 in PCL) outscored Laguna Beach in

the second quarter, 25-1, for a 36-7 halftime lead. Estancia freshman

point guard Trisha Wase scored 15 of her 17 points (matching her season

high) in the second period.

Senior Zuyin Barrera added 14 points for Estancia, which is 2-0 in

league for the first time in Kirby’s nine-year stint at the school (his

fifth as head coach).

The Eagles will travel to Newport-Mesa School District rival Corona

del Mar (7-10, 2-0) for a PCL showdown Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“It’s not for the league championship, but whoever wins will certainly

have the inside track,” Kirby said. “That’s been our goal ever since I’ve

been here, to win a league championship. We’ve always had decent teams,

but could never do it.”

Kirby said his team matches up well with Corona del Mar and could beat

the Sea Kings with quickness.

“If we don’t come out and play well we won’t (win), but I like our

chances,” added Kirby, whose played with mostly reserves in the second

half, while still outscoring Laguna Beach in the third quarter, 17-2.

“We stopped pressing after the second quarter,” Kirby said.

The Eagles netted five three-pointers in the game, led by Barrera’s

pair. Stefanie Cachola, Jennifer Cassity and Tory Matsufuji also hit

three-pointers.