The host Bishop Diego girls basketball team won two games Saturday to complete a 5-0 sweep in the Bird Cage Classic.
The Cardinals beat Thousand Oaks 48-30 Saturday morning and then took the court again in the afternoon to beat Santa Maria 59-31.
In the first game, Galilea De La Cruz scored 18 points and Lily Simolon added 12 to lead Bishop Diego.
“ We played great defense, jumping out to a 29-17 halftime lead,” Cardinals coach Jeff Burich said. “Lily scored the first eight points of the game and we didn’t look back. We allowed three 3-point baskets in the 1st quarter but none after that.”
In the afternoon game, Simolon scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the way. De La Cruz added 11 points and Lara Heinichen 10.
“We jumped out to a 34-15 halftime lead and avenged our only loss of the season, a two-point loss in the championship game a few weeks ago,” Burich said. “Lara scored all of her points and created separation in the game. Jiali Coronado made three 3s and made some great decisions offensively. Jaymi Coronado and Citlali Morales were awesome defensively, making their guards work for everything.
De La Cruz and Simolon were named to the All-Tournament Team.
“These girls are really playing well this early in the season,” Burich said. “I’m very pleased with their communication and supportiveness of each other. We are 9-1 on the year and play at home Monday against Santa Ynez.”
Carpinteria 54, Coastal Christian 32
Carpinteria ended play in the Classic on a positive note, surviving a third-quarter lull to beat Coastal Christian 54-32 Saturday.
The Warriors were led by a pair of double-doubles: Jamaica Cook scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and Amarisse Camargo added 17 points and 11 boards. In addition, Charlotte Cooney scored 16 points and had five rebounds.
With the help of energetic defense, Carpinteria charged out to a 28-8 halftime lead.
After that, “for whatever reasons, we decided to take a ‘nap’ in the third period” as Coastal Christian cut the lead from 20 to 8 by midway in the quarter, Carpinteria coach Henry Gonzales said. The team righted itself the rest of the way for the dominant win.
“I’m proud of our team for their dedication, commitment, and willingness to compete,” Gonzales said. “We played five straight games this past week and 12 games in 17 days. We have taken positive steps every day and look forward to starting league play” with games against Nordhoff and Channel Islands next week.
The Warriors are 6-6 on the season.