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  • Emily Otero of Valencia the song team, second from left,...

    Emily Otero of Valencia the song team, second from left, performs with her team at halftime of Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

  • Valencia's Bethany Pan, left, and Kennedy's Jessica Torres battle for...

    Valencia's Bethany Pan, left, and Kennedy's Jessica Torres battle for the ball during Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

  • Valencia's Imari Roberts, center, cheers for the school's girls basketball...

    Valencia's Imari Roberts, center, cheers for the school's girls basketball team during Friday's Empire League game against Kennedy at Valencia.

  • Valencia's Traci Ishii and Kennedy's Juanita Nolosco battle for the...

    Valencia's Traci Ishii and Kennedy's Juanita Nolosco battle for the rebound during Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

  • Valencia's Traci Ishii, left, and Kennedy's Juanita Nolosco battle for...

    Valencia's Traci Ishii, left, and Kennedy's Juanita Nolosco battle for the ball during Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

  • Kennedy's Keiley Kuwahara dribbles the ball around Valencia's Teresa Bisignano...

    Kennedy's Keiley Kuwahara dribbles the ball around Valencia's Teresa Bisignano as she guards during Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

  • Valencia's Traci Ishii scores at the basket during Friday's Empire...

    Valencia's Traci Ishii scores at the basket during Friday's Empire League game against Kennedy at Valencia.

  • Valencia's Krystal Khuat takes the ball downcourt with Kennedy's Kylie...

    Valencia's Krystal Khuat takes the ball downcourt with Kennedy's Kylie Masumiya following close behind during Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

  • Jessica Torres, left, and Juanita Nolosco of Kennedy grab a...

    Jessica Torres, left, and Juanita Nolosco of Kennedy grab a rebound from Valencia's Hana Goto during Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

  • Valencia's Vivian Ocampo passes the ball to a teammate as...

    Valencia's Vivian Ocampo passes the ball to a teammate as Kennedy tries to deflect it during Friday's Empire League game at Valencia.

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Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Valencia’s Vivian Ocampo found herself heating up midway through the third quarter of what was a tight league showdown with Kennedy High.

In the midst of her run minutes into the second half, the senior shooting guard found herself in NBA 3-point territory.

Why not try a shot from downtown?

Ocampo’s long-range 3-pointer highlighted the Tigers’ 18-5 third-quarter run, giving host Valencia plenty of breathing room in a 55-34 win over the Fighting Irish in an Empire League game Friday night.

“Kennedy is always a big obstacle for us,” Tigers coach Frank Lopez explained. “They’re a good team and they’re very well coached. The win gives us a lot of momentum in the larger scheme of things because we really thought Kennedy was going to be our league rival more than anybody else.”

Valencia (16-6, 6-0) stands atop the Empire League standings as the lone unbeaten, while Kennedy (12-10, 3-3) dropped to third place.

In their initial meeting just over two weeks ago, the Tigers clipped the Fighting Irish by two points. By forcing Kennedy into 28 turnovers on Friday, Valencia was able to significantly increase that margin of defeat.

Traci Ishii (16 points), Sonia Bishara (11) and Ocampo (12) each led the Tigers in scoring in different quarters.

“That’s what we rely on,” Lopez said. “Everybody has got to contribute something. That’s our motto here: Be on the floor and contribute.”

After taking a 25-17 edge into the break, Valencia led by 21 points after a third quarter that saw the Fighting Irish turn the ball over on their final nine possessions.

Kylie Masumiya and Camryn Hamaguchi led Kennedy with nine points apiece.

In the Century Conference:

No. 6 El Dorado 69, El Modena 29: Jaylin Jones (22 points), Brooke Salas (20) and Miranda Martinez (17) combined for 59 points as the Golden Hawks (17-6) eased past the host Vanguards.

No. 7 Foothill 56, Esperanza 38: The Knights (18-4) responded to Tuesday’s 20-point loss to Brea Olinda with a win over the Aztecs. Kaylani Maiava (12 points), Blaysen Varnadoe (11) and Sydney Sharp (11) all finished in double figures for visiting Foothill.

Canyon 48, Villa Park 29: Jackie Landry’s 12 points were important, but her 17 rebounds proved to be the reason the Comanches (10-11) earned a road victory over the host Spartans.

In the Empire League:

Cypress 41, Pacifica 34: Trailing by seven points at halftime, the Centurions (13-10, 4-3) outscored the host Mariners (11-11, 0-6) by 12 in the third quarter and maintained that lead through the fourth to earn a hard-fought road victory.

Justina Yoo led all scorers with 18 points, and Aggie Manu finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com