Girls’ Basketball: Ocean View denied
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The connection that brings together Ocean View High’s girls’ basketball team is like that of a good relationship.
They get out what they put in, and this season, the Seahawks have given it their all.
That is why the players and the coaching staff suffered mightily in the wake of a stinging defeat in the regular-season finale.
Tati Zazuetta had 33 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, as Segerstrom beat the host Seahawks, 64-59, to win the Golden West League crown.
“I was once given a quote by a parent, and it goes, ‘If you don’t invest very much, then losing doesn’t hurt very much and winning isn’t very exciting,’” Seahawks Coach Kim Morris said.
“With this group of girls, winning is beyond thrilling as they deserve everything that they’ve gotten.”
Had it not been for the boys’ basketball game that followed, one might have heard crickets from the Ocean View side after the game. There were a lot of long faces, emblematic of the world of hurt the Seahawks (21-5, 8-2 in league) were feeling from an opportunity gone awry.
Once they emerged from the locker room, it was to reveal the toll of the season. Jackie Moss left on crutches after selling out for her team in the title game.
The senior point guard sat out Tuesday’s game against Santa Ana with a groin strain, and she was less than full strength in her return.
Further damage had been done during the game, as Helen Reynolds took a blow to the head while going for a rebound with 11.8 seconds remaining.
Morris was certain Reynolds had a concussion by her initial reaction, but the assessment of the nurse and the trainer after the game had her more optimistic.
“I think she got hit hard enough,” Morris said. “She got so dizzy, she was nauseous. The world stopped spinning at some point, and she seems to be okay.”
Regardless of the diagnosis, the result of the game did not make anyone feel better.
“I think more than anything, we’re just really frustrated,” Reynolds said. “We were working so hard. We were hoping that we were going to be able to pull this out.”
The sophomore center called further attention to the bond the team has made this year.
“I’m really proud of the people and the players that they are,” Reynolds added. “I’m really disappointed in the way the game turned out.”
Reynolds had 21 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks to lead the Seahawks.
Moss was doing her best Steve Nash impression from his days with the Phoenix Suns, riding an exercise bike during her breaks to keep herself loose.
She finished the game with 10 points, four steals, two rebounds, and two assists. With the senior hampered by injury, Morris noted that one of the unfortunate realities of losing the league title is that the league MVP always seems to be awarded to the championship team.
Zazuetta certainly did her best to earn the award, producing 33 points and nine rebounds for the Jaguars (21-5, 9-1).
The sophomore point guard drilled three consecutive three-pointers in the second quarter, and after the final one, she hung her hand in the air.
“I was just trying to get everyone going,” Zazuetta said of the gesture. “I felt like we were all intimidated after the last loss.”
In the previous meeting, Ocean View won, 59-47, on the road on Jan. 24. On Thursday, a Zazuetta three put Segerstrom ahead, 17-15, at the 6:51 mark of the second, and the Jaguars led the rest of the way.
Jackie Vega added 11 points and six rebounds, and Zoe Morrison also had eight points and three steals for Segerstrom.
It was the Jaguars’ first league title since 2012. Segerstrom Coach Jeffrey Watts applauded his team’s composure in a pressure-packed game, especially considering his team’s foul trouble. Angie Zendejas and Morrison were both playing with four fouls.
“They persevered,” he said. “It’s tough to win here to begin with. I’m just really proud.”
Emily Solis added nine points and four rebounds off the bench for Ocean View.
Golden West League
Segerstrom 64, Ocean View 59
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Segerstrom – 11 - 24 - 11 - 18 – 64
Ocean View – 12 - 18 - 12 - 17 – 59
Seg – Zazuetta 33, Vega 11, Morrison 8, Zendejas 5, Jogwe 4, Vasquez 3.
3-pt. goals – Zazuetta 4, Morrison 2.
Fouled out – None.
Technicals – None.
OV – Reynolds 21, Almiranez 17, Moss 10, Solis 9, Newman 2.
3-pt. goals – Almiranez 3.
Fouled out – Yamasaki.
Technicals – None.
Twitter: @ProfessorTurner
