Hearlihy Finally Has Easy Time as Alemany Wins

BURBANK — This summer hasn’t exactly been a breeze for Alemany High girls’ basketball Coach Melissa Hearlihy, but the Indians’ game for fifth place in the Bell-Jeff tournament Saturday certainly was.

Alemany cruised past Garden Grove Pacifica, 64-44, behind Kate Beckler, who had 21 points and eight rebounds, and Kelli Kobayashi, who added 16 points.

The Indians took command early with a 13-1 run, allowing Hearlihy to exchange pleasantries with passersby along the sideline for most of the game.

While Hearlihy is enjoying her return to Alemany after she was dismissed and later reinstated as coach earlier this summer, she likes watching her team develop even more.

“It’s the kids,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

The Indians return four players, including two starters, from last season’s team that lost in the Southern Section Division III-AA championship game.

“I’m very happy with the way we’ve been playing,” Hearlihy said. “I think we’re going to be a little bit better than people think.”

Palisades 41, Ayala 26--Leilani Estavan scored 18 points and April Freeney added 10 points for the Dolphins in the championship game.

The Dolphins took an early lead and then held Ayala scoreless in the second quarter.

Moorpark 32, Fontana 29--Damaris Hinojosa scored 11 of her 17 points in the third quarter to help the Musketeers take a 14-point lead but they had to hang on in the last minute of the seventh-place game.

Moorpark made only one basket in the fourth quarter.

Rio Mesa 38, Eagle Rock 32--Carla Kanongataa scored 10 points and Teresa Ayala and Marissa Ambriz each added eight for the Spartans in the ninth-place game.

Rio Mesa broke a 30-30 tie with a 7-0 run and scored eight of the last 10 points.