Sports
Chabot women pass SoCal basketball test
Ex-East Union High School star Olivia Vezaldenos scores 25, Gladiators start fast in win over Santa Barbara
The Chabot women’s basketball team, ranked No. 17 in the CCCWBCA State Poll and No. 8 in the North Region, upended Santa Barbara 79-76 in the Cuesta Pre New Year’s Kickoff Classic on Thursday.
Olivia Vezaldenos led the Gladiators with a game-high 25 points and Kim Masulit had 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Alyssa Pluth added nine points.
In the back-and-forth battle, Chabot (10-3) bolted to a 30-15 lead through one quarter and led 39-28 at the half. Santa Barbara rallied in the third quarter, but the Gladiators got the job done in the fourth.
Chabot will complete preparations for conference play in the West Hills tourney Friday and Saturday.
The Gladiators will be tested early in the Coast-North next week, with home games against San Jose (9-6, No. 15 NorCal) on Wednesday and CCSF (12-3, No. 8 in state; No. 5 NorCal) on Friday. Both games will tip off at 5 p.m.
