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ANAHEIM — Three girls basketball leagues entered this week with four teams ranked in the Orange County Top 25. Only one league, however, featured an upstart with as much newly-established stature as Crean Lutheran.
Ranked fourth in the county, the Saints carried a six-game winning streak into a Crestview League showdown at two-time defending league champion and No. 13 Esperanza on Friday.
Crean Lutheran again proved worthy of its lofty perch.
The Saints overcame a fast start by Alexa Muller and the Aztecs to post a 62-43 victory to take sole possession of first place in the Crestview League.
Behind a strong second half by senior forward Sydnee Norwood, Crean Lutheran (17-2, 2-0) rallied from a 12-0 deficit and outscored Esperanza 39-18 in the second half.
“I’ll take our 11 (players) against anyone when we play like we can play,” first-year Crean Lutheran coach Kyle Rouse said. “Esperanza is good and we literally had a 31-point swing (after trailing 12-0). That’s how we good we can be.”
“I want to play a full game — Crean Lutheran style,” the coach added. “If (we) show up, there’s not too many teams, in my opinion, that can beat (us).”
Norwood scored 12 of her game-high 26 points in the third quarter to help lead lead the Saints, who trailed 25-23 at intermission.
Crean Lutheran sparked an 8-0 run early in the third quarter with its defense.
The highlight play was a blocked shot by Elise Randolph of a 3-point attempt. The junior also came away the rebound and threw a pass to a streaking Norwood for a layup.
Esperanza’s Charlotte Muller sank a 3-pointer to halt the run but the Saints reeled off a 7-0 surge to open a 40-32 lead late in the third. Norwood had a steal and layup in the stretch.
In the fourth, Norwood’s twin Jordyn made a 3-pointer to cap another run that opened a 54-35 lead. Jordyn Norwood finished with three 3-poimters and also spent time in the second half guarding Alexa Muller, who scored five of her team-high 17 points in the final two periods.
Vanguard-bound point guard Micaela Hanning added 14 points for Crean Lutheran, which wasn’t ranked in the county preseason Top 10.
Muller’s twin Charlotte finished with 11 points to join her sister as the Aztecs in double figures. Alexa Muller (ankle) played her first game since Dec. 21 but Esperanza (13-7, 1-1) was without freshman point guard Avery Kame (ankle).
“Crean Lutheran played better,” Aztecs coach Jimmy Valverde said. “Second half, (they) just took it to us. Our kids didn’t really respond but we’re young.”
Crean Lutheran and Esperanza will participate in the Matson Classic at Orange Lutheran on Saturday.
The Saints will open the showcase against No. 6 Villa Park at 11 a.m. while the Aztecs will face No. 16 Portola at 3:30 p.m.
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