Orange Lutheran survives scare from JSerra (with audio)

Orange Lutheran almost let a 15-point lead slip away, but the Lancers pulled it together down the stretch to beat JSerra, 44-37, in the Trinity League opener and keep their record perfect on Thursday night at Orange Lutheran High.

"It’s not going to be easy in the Trinity League any night of the week," Lancers coach Tony Matson said.

Orange Lutheran got off to a quick start as Skye Atchley, Alyssa Shinto and Kimmi Cordova knocked down 3-pointers to help the Lancers jum out to a 17-2 lead.

The Lancers gave up a lot of size to JSerra, but they definitely had the edge in the experience department over the Lions, who start one senior, one junior, two sophomores and a freshman.

Sophomore Jade Reed came off the bench to score six points in the low post for the Lions in the second quarter as they chipped away at the lead. It was practically erased when Nichole Sandoval made a running 3-pointer from half court at the buzzer to cut Orange Lutheran’s lead to 25-20 at the half.

Each time the Lions made a run at the Lancers in the second half somebody would step up and make a basket. The Lions cut it to 34-32 on Sandoval’s layup with 5:16 left.

Oranage Lutheran responded quickly. Krissy Karr fed Atchley, who scored a layup. Moments later, Atchley dished to Katelyn Walsh, who converted a three-point play, to push the lead back to 39-32.

JSerra (13-3, 0-1) made one more run at the Lancers (14-0, 1-0) in the closing minutes, but Orange Lutheran’s defense tightened up and the Lancers made enough free throws to hold them off.

No. 1 Mater Dei 63, No. 5 Rosary 29: Kaleena Lewis scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Jordan Adams had seven points and eight rebounds to lift the Monarchs (15-0, 1-0) over the visiting Royals (13-4, 0-1), who got 16 points and four 3-pointers from Emily McCoy.

No. 6 Woodbridge 53, No. 19 Northwood 28: Julie Walton made three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points, Jordan Sanchez added 11 points and Ashley Ward and Erin Beadle had 10 points each as the Warriors (15-1, 1-0) beat the visiting Timberwolves (12-5, 0-1) for the second time in eight days.

The two teams met on Dec. 30 in the championship game of the Arroyo Grande Tournament with Woodbridge winning, 64-59, in overtime.

No. 3 Foothill 70, No. 10 Huntington Beach 54: Christina Marinacci scored 13 points and Makenzie Hirz and Laurel Fiddler added 12 points apiece as the visiting Knights (14-0, 1-0) took care of the Oilers (12-4, 0-1), who were led by Noelani Viloria's game-high 18 points.

No. 21 El Toro 60, Trabuco Hills 32: Samantha Hansen scored 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots to lead the Chargers (11-6, 1-0) past the visiting Mustangs (2-11, 0-1).

No. 4 Edison 52, Esperanza 22: Michelle Yamasaki scored 12 points and Bonnie Samuelson scored 10 points to lead a balanced attack as the Chargers (11-4, 1-0) beat the visiting Aztecs (6-9, 0-1).

No. 14 Marina 59, Fountain Valley 34: Gracie Boelsems scored 15 points, Alyssa Kinoshita added 11 points and Rita Sitivi had nine points, eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals to pace the Vikings (11-6, 1-0) in a victory over the visiting Barons (7-9, 0-1).

Newport Harbor 31, Los Alamitos 29: Rachel Bass scored 13 points for the Griffins (6-10, 0-1) in the loss to the visiting Sailors (3-8, 1-0).

No. 13 Mission Viejo 76, Aliso Niguel 49: Kaitlyn Petersen scored a game-high 33 points and Ashley Fajardo chipped in with 19 points as the Diablos (12-4, 1-0) defeated the visiting Wolverines (5-12, 0-1).

MacKenzie Beckley and Hannah Girdley scored 16 points apiece for Aliso Niguel.

No. 12 San Clemente 53, Tesoro 35: Cassie Harberts and Jacqui Marshall each recorded double-doubles to help the Tritons (8-6, 1-0) knock off the host Titans (8-8, 0-1) in the league opener for both schools.

Marshall had 15 points and 14 rebounds and Harberts had 11 points and 17 rebounds.

No. 23 Dana Hills 58, Capistrano Valley 57: Lauren Shute scored 25 points and Gabriella Nichols had 10 points to help the Dolphins (8-7, 1-0) hold off the visiting Cougars (6-10, 0-1).

Sarah Aguilar, Krystal Canning, Sofia Furlong and Alma Serna all finished in double figures for Capo Valley.

No. 11 Laguna Hills 66, Corona del Mar 22: Lauren Engeln had 19 points and 13 rebounds, Ashley Engeln scored 12 points and Celia Marfone had 11 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Hawks (12-4, 1-0) past the visiting Sea Kings (15-3, 0-1).

Irvine 64, Beckman 49: Kristan Liddle recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 16 rebounds and 10 steals as the Vaqueros (10-5, 1-0) knocked off the host Patriots (3-12, 0-1).

Whitney (Cerritos) 43, Brethren Christian 40: Stacey Helfer, Rebekah Rudd and Kirsten Sakata all scored in double figures for the Warriors (4-7, 0-2), but it wasn't enough to defeat the host Wildcats (4-10, 1-1).

Godinez 55, Laguna Beach 47: Bridgette Madrigal scored 23 points, including 12 of 13 from the foul line, for the Grizzlies (9-9, 1-0) and Emily Writer dropped in a game-high 29 points for the Breakers (1-13, 0-1), but it was visiting Godinez that came out victorious.

Madrigal made eight free throws in the fourth quarter, including five in the final minute to seal the victory.

Fairmont Prep 43, Saddleback Valley Christian 39: Jordan Esparza's 19 points helped the Huskies (10-6, 1-0) edge the visiting Warriors (10-2, 0-1), who got 15 points from Victoria Martinez.

Avalon 24, Orangewood Academy 19: Raechelle Davis had 12 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks for the host Spartans (6-5, 0-1) in the loss to the Lancers (6-6, 1-0).

Ocean View 63, Pacifica 47: Rachel Sweezy led the way with 15 points and Sara Mitchell and Sharine Ohanian also finished in double figures for the Seahawks (6-7) in a victory over the visiting Mariners (5-10).

Segerstrom 39, Santiago 32: Stephanie Cash scored 17 points and had nine rebounds, six steals and four assists as the Jaguars (10-6) beat the visiting Cavaliers (4-6).

Fullerton 52, Savanna 28: Taylor Allen scored 13 points and Sofia Felisarta added 10 points to lead the Indians (8-7) past the host Rebels (7-9).

Bolsa Grande 52, Western 40: Eerica Ortega had 14 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Pioneers (2-12) in the loss to the visiting Matadors (4-9).