Chiara DiMarco’s MVP performance at the Lompoc Tournament took the Chargers all the way to the tournament title on Saturday, as the Chargers were able to top Channel League rival Santa Barbara 70-56.
DiMarco led the Chargers with 20 points against the Dons, leading three teammates in double figures. Jessica Escalante added 19 and Jasmine Mata 16. Both DiMarco and Escalante added five steals apiece while Kristin Gowdy provided 10 rebounds and five assists.
DiMarco was named Tournament MVP while Escalante was named to the all-tournament team. DiMarco averaged 17 points in three games and recorded 13 steals in the past two contests.
Santa Barbara’s Tess Emerson, who was named to the all-tournament team with teammate Ivette Gil, led the Dons in the championship game with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Gil posted 16 points.
The Chargers started strong, outscoring the Dons 24-11 in the first quarter.
“They’re solid. They make good decisions,” said Dons head coach Andrew Butcher of Dos Pueblos. “They beat us in transition and their penetration was strong.”
Dos Pueblos (4-0) and Santa Barbara (2-1) play in the Gold Coast Tournament starting on Wednesday.
