Lady Sea Hawks Beat West, Stay Perfect in League

It’s anyone’s guess who will lead Redondo Union's girls hoops team on any given night, but as long as someone is leading the Sea Hawks to victory, that’s all that matters to coach Marcelo Enriquez.

On Tuesday, it was reserves Annie Park and Ashiana Antar that helped keep the Sea Hawks perfect in Bay League play as a big fourth quarter lifted Redondo to a 60-49 win over West Torrance.

“This is how we are,’’ Enriquez said. ‘’It’s a different person every night stepping up for us.’’

Enriquez turned to a 1-2-2 press in the fourth quarter, which led to several easy baskets for the Sea Hawks (12-8, 3-0 in league).

Trailing 44-41 early in the final period, the Sea Hawks went inside to Antar who scored and was fouled.  Antar would complete the three-point play, tying the score at 44. And with less than six minutes remaining in the game, Shayna Stuart missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Michelle Lowery crashed the boards and scored to put the Sea Hawks in front by two.

Redondo’s press would begin to frustrate the Warriors (12-8, 0-3), as the Sea Hawks turned back-to-back steals into trips to the line for Park. Park would make one free throw, then two, giving Redondo some breathing room at 49-44.

“I thought they looked a little worn down at the end and we were just more aggressive at the end,” Park said.

Speedy guard Rachel Scarlett took an inbounds pass and broke the West press, getting the ball ahead to Antar for another score to give the Sea Hawks their largest lead of the game at 51-44.

“The fourth quarter was the turning point,’’ Scarlett said. ‘’We were able to get turnovers and some easy points.’’

Point guard Riki Murakami, who was double-teamed all game in the Warriors’ full-court pressure, made a long pass to Antar who laid the ball in capping a 9-0 Sea Hawks’ run.

“At the half we just adjusted our press break and were able to get the ball to the middle of the floor and break it easily,” Scarlett said.

“Their trap slowed us down,’’ Enriquez said. ‘’We weren’t able to go as fast as we wanted, but we were able to pick up the scoring towards the end.’’

The Sea Hawks finished off the Warriors at the line with Stuart, Park and Murakami hitting free throws down the stretch.

Redondo forced nine-second half turnovers and used a decisive 39-16 rebounding advantage to break away for the 11-point win despite battling in a game in which the lead changed several times in the games first three quarters.

“We were dominant on the glass tonight. I was very happy with how we rebounded especially on offense (14-4),” Enriquez said.

Park, a reserve guard, was 9 of 10 at the free throw line and found the bottom of the net on a series of runners and floaters and finished with a career-high 20 points.

“I knew I had to do something to help the team. It was close all game. I just started to drive so I could draw some fouls,” Park said.

Antar, a senior post who did not see action last year due to a knee injury, matched her season-high with 13 points. “Coming off the bench my time is limited, so I have to do my best to help out,” she said.

Allie Goldberg led the Sea Hawks with 10 points in the paint during the first half and finished with 12, giving Redondo three players in double figures.

West was led by Nicole Nitake’s 12 points, and Kaitlin Kung added eight.