Bishop Amat’s Kristen McCarthy leads way with 18 points
Above: Flintridge Prep Courtney Robinson (14) fights for the rebound in the first half during the Fifth Annual San Gabriel Valley Tribune/Pasadena Star-News Area All-Star Classic at Azusa Pacific University’s Felix Event Center. (SGVN/Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXSports)
Thoughts: The Tribune had a definite size advantage in this game and the combination of McCarthy, Bishop Amat’s Ashleigh Adams, Covina’s Ashley Adams and Diamond Bar’s Dayna Lee couldn’t be stopped. Blair’s Stephanie Defrance and Alhambra’s Tiffany Chu provided the scoring for the Star-News, mainly in the second half, while Maranatha’s Natasha Herring did her best against the taller Tribune players in the paint.
Bottom line: The turnout was outstanding and I want to say thanks to David Jensen for taking the time to coach the team, the players for participating, and all the fans that came out. It was a great night.
By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer
AZUSA – Pressure defense, easy baskets and confusion were all facets of the game for the Tribune girls team during Saturday night’s fifth annual Tribune/Star-News All-Star Basketball Classic at Azusa Pacific University’s Felix Event Center.
The Tribune All-Stars even had Ashley and Ashleigh Adams to confuse their Star-News opponents.
Temple University-bound Kristen McCarthy showed why she was so highly recruited.
McCarthy scored 18 points to lift the Tribune to an 83-63 victory.
With the win, the Tribune, coached by Wilson’s Ed Bruyninckx, took a 3-2 lead in the overall series over the Star-News, coached by Blair’s David Jensen.
“It was amazing and I had a great time, and it made things better that we won,” said McCarthy, who also had four rebounds and five steals. “I’ve known (Covina’s) Chantel (Diaz) since (my) freshman year and it was good to play with her, and it was just a good time.”
McCarthy’s Bishop Amat teammate Ashleigh Adams, Covina’s Ashley Adams and Diamond Bar’s Dayna Lee joined in on the fun.
Ashley Adams collected 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Ashleigh Adams scored 12 points and had seven rebounds and five blocks. Lee scored 15 points and grabbed 13 boards. Diaz chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.
“It’s an all-star game and you want to win, but it’s not like a playoff game you don’t win and you’re done,” said McCarthy, who was named the Tribune’s Player of the Game. “You know it’s your last game and you’re having fun, so there’s really no pressure.”
Alhambra’s Tiffany Chu led the Star-News with 13 points. Blair’s Stephanie DeFrance scored 10 points, and Maranatha’s Natasha Herring had seven points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
“It was fantastic to play with the best people in the Pasadena area,” Herring said. “I think that we ultimately did OK, so it was a lot of fun.”
Herring was named the Star-News Player of the Game.
“I was just trying to hack and whack, box out and hustle,” Herring said.
Behind McCarthy, Lee and the Adams tandem, the Tribune raced out to a
30-12 lead before having to settle for a 36-25 halftime cushion.
“We had a little bit of nerves,” Herring said.
San Marino’s Nicole Chan’s 3-pointer pulled the Star-News within 13 points, 51-38.
But the Star-News never got closer.
Flintridge Prep’s Courtney Robinson, Chan and Gabrielino’s Annie Kim each scored six points for the Star-News.
Baylor-bound Cherrish Wallace of Muir officially closed out her high school career with four points.
3-POINT SPECIALISTS
South El Monte’s Vanessa Gutierrez stole the show in the girls 3-point contest.
Gutierrez sank 15 3-pointers to overtake Temple City’s Jennifer Duong, who made 14 3-pointers.
Duong sank 15 in the first round to advance to the final round against Gutierrez, who hit 13 in the first round. Chu made 11 for the Star-News, and Frierson hit seven.
Nogales’ Crystal Macias gave Gutierrez a run for her money with 10 3-pointers, and Wilson’s Catherine Chang sank nine.
