Triton Report: Girls Basketball Upsets League Champion

By Zach Cavanagh

For in-game updates, news and more for all of the San Clemente High School sports programs, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SouthOCSports.

Girls Basketball Upsets League Champion

The San Clemente girls basketball team has not won a league title since 2014-15 and had not beaten Aliso Niguel since that same season, the last before current head coach Keri Husbands began her tenure.

The Tritons don’t have that league championship yet, but they took a major step forward by overcoming their Wolverines demon on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Ella Gardiner brought a monster 19-point, 26-rebound effort, and Jessie Blaine added her own double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds as San Clemente held on for a 52-50 win over Aliso Niguel at San Clemente High School.

Aliso Niguel had won its previous 15 South Coast League games and had won eight straight against the Tritons until this week.

San Clemente (19-2, 4-0), ranked No. 1 in Division 2A, sits alone in first place after the first round of league play.

San Clemente plays at Capistrano Valley on Thursday, Jan. 16 and then plays Los Osos in the Norco Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 18.

The Tritons return to league play at Dana Hills on Jan. 23 and host Tesoro on Jan. 28. San Clemente closes the regular season at Aliso Niguel on Feb. 3.

Roundup

San Clemente boys soccer (15-1-2, 1-0-1) remains the top team in CIF-SS Division 1 with another week at No. 1 in the latest rankings. The Tritons beat Capistrano Valley, 2-0, and played a scoreless draw at Mission Viejo to open league. San Clemente hosted San Juan Hills on Wednesday, Jan. 15, but results were not available at press time. Tritons next host Capistrano Valley on Jan. 24.

San Clemente girls water polo (6-9) is ranked No. 18 in the Division 1 and 2 poll going into the South Coast League. The Tritons open the single round of league play at Aliso Niguel on Thursday, Jan. 16 and host El Toro on Jan. 21 and Tesoro on Jan. 23. San Clemente plays at Dana Hills on Jan. 30 before the league tournament.

Zach Cavanagh

Zach Cavanagh is the sports editor for Picket Fence Media. Zach is a California Journalism Award winner and has covered sports in Orange County since 2013. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @ZachCav and follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SouthOCSports.