Ladycats began their season as champions of the 11th Annual Ladycat Classic Tournament.

Ladycats started the tournament with a 104-22 thrashing of Trabuco Hills High School. The score at the end of the first quarter: 45-4. Amber Van Dudekom, senior, led five scorers in double figures with 14 points.

In the round of eight, they prevailed over Narbonne High School, 64-45. Keitra Wallace, sophomore, poured in 18 points, followed by VanDudekom’s 16.

The semifinals resulted in a 77-43 victory over Summit High School of Fontana. Jeanier Olukemi, junior, had a season high 23 points as the Ladycats once again dominated the first half of play.

Long Beach Poly would prove to be a more formidable foe. Then ranked number four in the state by maxpreps.com, and coming off a 32-3 season, the Jackrabbits controlled the boards at the start of the contest.
“Rebounding hurt us in first quarter, mostly the offensive rebounds that Long Beach Poly made,” said Amanda Arter, senior.

In the second quarter, Long Beach Poly started to pull away from the Ladycats. Poly continued to out-rebound their opponent and took advantage of second chance opportunities. Ariya Crook-Williams, senior, scored 15 of Poly’s first half points. At the half, the Ladycats trailed by eight points.

After regrouping during the break, the Ladycats charged back and evened the score behind the play of Wallace and a timely three pointer by junior Taylor Spears. The Ladycats’ defense forced Poly to shoot from difficult positions, resulting in low percentage, and missed shots. Wallace said, “Our hustle plays and steals that led to lay-ups allowed us to come back in the third quarter. They also committed silly fouls and we made the free-throws.”

Arter added, “Our team took control of the rebounding in the second half. Poly had zero offensive rebounds in the second half.”

The Ladycats ended the game, prevailing 60-53.

Next up was the Iolani Classic Tournament in Iolani, Hawaii from Dec. 9 to 11.

The Ladcycats opened play against Farrington (Honolulu) High School. They sailed to a 72-24 win behind 14 points from UCLA-bound Justine Hartman, senior. Wallace pitched in 13 as the Ladycats built a 34-10 halftime lead.

Wallace led all scorers with 18 points in a 69-45 second round win over Konawaena High School.

With consecutive wins, they reached the championship game against Memphis Central High School
“During the first half they got our offensive boards, they were winning most of that half,” said Carly Bishop, senior. “It was not until the second half that we started winning with our rebounds and defense tactics.”
After taking advantage of their defense, Ladycats won the game, 74-58.

On Dec. 18, the Ladycats will compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona.