UPDATE: The West Torrance girls basketball team has kicked off its season with a decisive 49-38 victory over Village Christian in the opening game of the Battle at the Beach tournament, held at Redondo Union High on Tuesday. This win marks a strong start as the Warriors aim to secure a spot in the CIF-SS playoffs this season.
West Torrance surged ahead early, establishing a commanding 14-point lead in the first quarter, thanks to standout performances from freshman Kayla Nayak and sophomore Hailey Igbokwe. Nayak scored nine of her game-high 17 points in that pivotal quarter, while Igbokwe contributed five of her total nine points.
“We started out really well, especially defensively,” said West coach Keith Prendergast. He expressed pride in his team’s ability to respond under pressure, noting the resilience shown after Village Christian attempted to mount a comeback.
The Warriors continued their momentum into the second quarter, extending their lead to 22 points by halftime. Nayak showcased her shooting prowess, hitting her third 3-pointer, followed by another from teammate Katie Moore.
As the third quarter progressed, Village Christian cut the deficit to 15 points, but West regained control with critical baskets from Igbokwe and a reverse lay-up from Nayak, pushing the score to 46-28 with just over five minutes remaining.
“I think we played really hard tonight, especially defensively,” Igbokwe remarked, highlighting the significance of this tournament for their season. “It gives us a good idea of how things are going to be once we start playing in league.”
Despite a late surge from Village Christian, which closed the gap to 13 points, a timely 3-pointer from Moore solidified West’s lead at 16 points, ensuring a solid victory.
“Doing well in this tournament will give us momentum early in the season,” Nayak noted. “Our goal is to do well in playoffs and hopefully hang a (CIF) banner.”
Looking ahead, West Torrance will face Leuzinger on Wednesday as they continue pool play. This early success in the tournament bodes well for their season ambitions.
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses!
