Esperanza’s Omer Has Help in Reserve

Kim Omer, who missed 14 games after being kneed in the back during the first game of the season, came off the bench for the second consecutive game and sparked 10th-ranked Esperanza to a 56-43 Sunset League victory over Huntington Beach Thursday.

Omer said she would rather be starting, but had no problem spelling Beth Weidler. With Huntington Beach holding a 14-12 lead midway in the second quarter, Omer got a long rebound and converted a three-point play for a 15-14 lead, had the assist on Heidi Hill’s eight-footer for a 19-14 margin, made a three-point basket to make it 22-16, stole the inbounds pass and passed to Weidler to make it 24-16, and added another three-pointer for a 27-17 lead.

In just less than three minutes, Omer had nine points, two assists and a steal, and Esperanza (14-4, 3-0 in league) was on its way.

“Her timing is still a little off,” Esperanza Coach Marc Hill said. “She gives us a spark off the bench, and as it stands right now, I like her in that role, though I’m sure she would rather start.”

Only Leah Combs, who scored 17, scored more than Omer.

Huntington Beach (12-5, 1-2), fresh off its upset of No. 4 Marina, had trouble spelling Phouangmaly Pravongviengkham, who averaged 22.8 points before going down because of a badly sprained ankle last week. The Oilers shot only 26.1% from the field, and a meager 18.8% (six for 32) in the second and third quarters as Esperanza took a 45-28 lead. Erica Waetjen and Megan Masuda each scored 11.

Pravongviengkham is likely sidelined three more league games.

In other Sunset League games:

Marina 43, Los Alamitos 42--Natalie Nakase (15 points) converted a four-point play with five seconds left as No. 4 Marina (13-3, 2-1) avoided a second consecutive upset. Marisa Emde (12 points) gave the Vikings a 39-31 lead with five minutes to play with three consecutive three-pointers, but Los Alamitos (8-8, 1-2) responded with an 11-0 run, capped by Krista Ellis’ jumper with 1:33 remaining.

Fountain Valley 77, Edison 71 (OT)--Kelly Boeke had 22 points and Jennifer Nakano scored 12 of her 19 points from three-point range for Fountain Valley (7-10, 1-2). Ninth-ranked Edison (12-5, 1-2) had a potential winning basket waved off at the end of regulation.