St. Paul’s Holly Shafer (44) grabs the ball from Whittier Christian’s Megan Kleber during Friday’s game. St. Paul won, 49-16. (Keith Durflinger / Staff Photographer)

By Eric Terrazas, SGVN
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LA HABRA – A strong defense lifted St. Paul High School to a 49-16 victory over Whittier Christian on Friday in a pool-play girls basketball game of the Leon Davis Classic Tournament at Whittier Christian.

The Swordsmen’s defense was especially stingy in the second half as the Heralds scored just four points.

Clarissa Hernandez and Clarissa Perez each scored 10 points to lead St. Paul (3-1), which will play in today’s tournament championship game against Jurupa Valley. That game between the two pool winners is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Whittier Christian.

The Heralds (2-2), who finished third in their pool, will play in today’s fifth-place game at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s a nice win,” St. Paul coach Robert Miller said. “I liked the way we played defense.”

Miller also said of today’s game against Jurupa Valley, “It will be a great test for us but I like our chances.”

After building a 20-12 halftime lead, the Swordsmen took control by outscoring the Heralds 20-2 in the third quarter.

St. Paul, which scored the first 11 points during the quarter, started its run with a free throw by Hernandez, who then increased the Swordsmen’s lead to 23-12 with a basket.