Woodbridge blocks out distractions, wins battle for first place

IRVINE - Woodbridge's girls basketball team, with head coach Dave Yates sitting out his second game, took over sole possession of first place in the Pacific Coast League on Tuesday night.

The Warriors defeated Irvine, 43-31, at Woodbridge High. The two teams came into the game tied for first place.

Yates, a first-year coach, and his lead assistant coach, Ashley Smith, did not coach the Warriors for the second game in a row.

"This remains a confidential personnel matter," Ian Hanigan, public information officer for the Irvine Unified School District said earlier Tuesday. "Whenever we're talking about issues pertaining to performance, discipline or matters of a personal nature, employees have a right to confidentiality, particularly when there is no criminal conduct involved.

"This should be a reasonable expectation of all of our employees, even those whose positions make them more visible to the public."

Hanigan added that both coaches remain employed by the district but there is no indication if or when they will return to coaching the team.

Longtime boys assistant coach Burr Robinson and girls JV coach John McLaughlin coached Woodbridge on Tuesday night. It has not been decided who will coach the team the rest of the season, according to Woodbridge principal Jason Viloria.

Woodbridge and Irvine both came into the game with 3-0 league records, but Woodbridge (12-6, 4-0) led from the start to take over the top spot. Irvine (14-5, 3-1) dropped into second place.

"The girls are really dedicated, they're strong and they stuck together and nothing bothers them," Robinson said. "Basically, it was the girls just bringing everything that they have and executing."

Robinson said he is not sure what will happen next with the school's coaching situation.

"We're all just waiting to hear," he said. "I'm sure the girls will play well regardless of who is coaching them. It's out of our hands. We were just told to come and help out, so that's what we're trying to do."

The Woodbridge girls seemed focused from the start, jumping to a 16-7 lead after one quarter with 12 of the points coming on four 3-pointers by Kelli Robinson, Coach Robinson's daughter.

Robinson finished with 12 points, while Morgan Johnson added 10 points and nine rebounds to lead the Warriors.

"We worked hard for it and mentally prepared for it in practice," Johnson said. "We knew what we had to get done and we executed and played a really good defense.

"It's been tough, but we have a strong base as a group, and so whenever things get tough, we pull together and we get the job done. We're determined to get the job done no matter who our coach is."

Woodbridge held a 22-17 lead at halftime and led, 29-21, going into the final quarter.

Sarah Lipton hit a 3-point basket for the Warriors with 2:40 left in the game to make it 36-26. Lipton finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Irvine was led by Jessica Thawley (9 points) and Maddy O'Donnell (7 points).

"I thought my girls gave a solid defensive effort tonight and had some good hustle plays," Irvine coach Amy Klamberg said. "I am proud of their effort, we just came up short. We did not shoot a high percentage from the floor or line, and after Woodbridge jumped to an early lead, we had to play catch up the entire game.

"They are a solid team and look forward to the opportunity to play them later in the season."