PHS takes second in Mission Oak
The Porterville High girls basketball team had an impressive showing last week at the Mission Oak Tournament, taking second.
PHS opened with an 81-19 win over Central Valley Christian. Nsejie Ortiz and Gracie Magana each scored 16 points and Mylar Nicks added 10 points for the Panthers. PHS led 42-13 at halftime.
Porterville then defeated Hanford 62-50 in a game that wasn’t that close. PHS led 40-18 at halftime and 53-29 at the end of 3 quarters.
Late in the game, when PHS had cleared its bench, Hanford put its starters back in and full court pressed to make the score closer but Porterville was never in any real danger.
Ortiz scores 23 points and Magana added 15 points.
In the semifinals PHS routed the No. 9 ranked team in the Valley, Corcoran, 71-45 “This was an all-around good game for the entire team, PHS coach Dave Kavern said.
Ortiz scored 23 points and Magana added 15 points. Freshman Amaya Cortez scored eight points and hit two big three-pointers early in the third quarter.
PHS led just 28-24 at halftime but outscored Corcoran 31-7 in the third quarter.
Assyria Murrietta and Devina Lopez also played well for the Panthers. The two post players controlled the boards in the defensive end.
PHS lost to the Valley’s No. 3 ranked team, Nipomo, 79-58 in the championship game.
Porterville was actually up 32-21 at halftime. But Nipomo took control of the game by outscoring PHS 26-9 in the third quarter to take 47-41 lead. Nipomo outscored PHS 58-26 in the second half.
“They are a very physical, athletic team who can shoot extremely well,” Kavern said.
Ortiz and Andrea Perez each scored 21 points for the Panthers.
“I was very happy with the effort our entire team demonstrated throughout the three days,” Kavern said. “Many players got considerable playing time which will be very valuable as we get into our league season.
Ortiz and Magana were named to the All-tournament team for PHS (13-3).
“This was a very good tournament leading into league play on January 12,” Kavern said.
PHS will next play on Tuesday at Hoover.