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West tops Fullerton for Consolation Championship

West tops Fullerton for Consolation Championship

The Wildcats ranked #19th in the state, (11th in southern California) came into Friday's contest with 
#4 LA Trade Tech without the team's leading scorer Daija Black. However, just dressing 7 players didn't impact WEST early. The Wildcats fought the #4 team in the state throughout the first half, cutting the Beavers lead to only two points.

Where West came out the locker room flat, the Beavers were hot. The Wildcats were outscored 30-12
in the 3rd. This proved to be too much for the Wildcats to overcome. With the loss West LA falls to 8-5.  Three Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Tricia Delph's 20 points and 10 rebounds.  Ihana Alono (Torrance)made the most of her 40 minutes, scoring 18 points to go with 17 rebounds. Heyavin Johnson (Westchester) also finished in double figures with 14 points.



 
After a tough loss on Friday night, the Lady Wildcats returned to floor to face the host team of the tournament the  LA Valley Monarchs. Both teams are familiar with each other, as members of the Western State Conference. At the end of the first quarter, West trailed by only 2. The Monarchs converted on 5-11 from the floor, for 45.5%. LA Valley extended its lead on West in the second quarter to 12 points, until Audrina Villela's (Carson) 3 pointer with 1:22 left in the half.  The Wildcats trailed 31-22 at the half.

Head Coach Twan Herron's ladies got off to a hot start in the 3rd quarter, to get West back into the game. Freshman Lauren Jones' (Culver City) jump shot 23 seconds into the 3rd quarter, cut the Monarchs lead to 9. A three pointer from Tricia Delph (Fairfax) followed by another Jones jump shot, made it a four point game. Villela and Heyavin Johnson (Westchester) hit back to back 3's to give West LA its first lead of the second half.

The Wildcats outscored LA Valley 31-9 in the third quarter to take a 13 point lead into the fourth. Delph and Villela played the entire 3rd quarter and both were extremely productive. 
Delph was a perfect 5 for 5 in the quarter, including a 3 pointer and a free throw giving the former Fairfax standout 12 points in the quarter. Villela made her presence known, as well. The 1st team all-conference performer from a year ago, almost mirrored Delph's numbers. Villela finished 4-5 from the floor with a three pointer and free throw, respectively.

With 2 minutes remaining, the Wildcats led by 12 and controlled the rest of the game.

Audrina Villela led West LA with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assist. Freshman Tricia Delph added 18 points and Lauren Jones chipped in with 14. With the victory, the Wildcats eliminated the host of the tournament LA Valley.  The Wildcats advance to the Consolation Championship game to face Fullerton College. It will be the second match up between the two teams this season, West LA defeated Fullerton 66-51, on November 9th.
 

In Short…

The West LA Wildcats fell behind early in the contest; however, a 10 point 2rd quarter for West tied the game at 19 at the halftime. West used a third-quarter run to create separation before downing  the Fullerton Hornets, 51-44 in the LA Valley tournament. The #19 ranked Wildcats improve to 10-5, while going 2-1 for the weekend.
 
About the win


Sophomore Ihana Alono, left off where she did during Friday's game. The sophomore post finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Alono fed the ball to Tricia Delph who knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 13, in the second quarter. It was the second double-double for Alono, who was named to the All-Tournament team.

Audrina Villela also finished with a double-double for West. Villela's aggressive play took her to the free throw line 10 times, where she made eight. The Wildcat defense held the Hornets to only six points in the 2nd quarter. West LA outscored Fullerton in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. Heyavin Johnson's 5 assist were the most from any team in the game.


Up Next

The Wildcats travel to Glendora, to face the Citrus College Owls.  Tip-off against the Owls is slated for 6 p.m.