GIRLS’ BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK

One of the hottest players in the region is Santa Paula sophomore Sarah Ruiz. Ruiz, who averages 21.8 points, has scored more than 20 points in seven consecutive games. She has led Santa Paula (14-5, 4-0) to first place in the Frontier League.

Ruiz scored a school-record 43 points this month against Fillmore. She followed that performance with 20, 22, 27, 20 and 24 points. She has topped 20 points in 13 of 19 games, twice scoring more than 30.

She is one of the most prolific long-range shooters in Ventura County. Only Jenni Dooley of Ventura (68 for 217, 31%) and Ashley Alderton of Royal (70 for 199, 35%) have hit more three-pointers than Ruiz (60 for 190, 31%).

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Sophomore Christine Kepenekian has been a bright spot for Burbank (4-13, 0-6).

Kepenekian has thrived despite playing with an inexperienced supporting cast. She’s the only returning player from a squad that went 15-13 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

“She’s one of the few kids out there who has to face double- and triple-teaming on a regular basis, and still she puts up these numbers,� Coach Jonathan Depeyer said.

Kepenekian averages 14.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and four steals. She is shooting 40% (30 for 75) from three-point range.

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Nicole Greathouse, from Buena, had a career-high six steals in UC Santa Barbara’s 83-61 victory over Idaho on Sunday.

Greathouse, a senior, averages 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Gauchos (11-6).

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Valerie Hadjuk had a career-high 11 assists in Nordhoff’s 84-26 Frontier League victory over Malibu on Friday. Hadjuk leads the Rangers (10-11, 3-2) with 104 assists.