Balance and boards were the difference on Sunday as SBCC downed Moorpark 64-49 to capture the title of the Moorpark Classic. Five players scored between eight and 12 points and the Vaqueros won the rebound battle 49-31 in the women’s basketball clash between WSC North rivals.
Santa Barbara (11-4), ranked 11th in Southern California and 18th in the state, extended its season-high win streak to four games. They’ve won those four by an average of 17 points. It’s also the fourth time that SBCC has held an opponent to 49 points or less.
Moorpark, ranked 15th in Southern Cal, fell to 7-2.
Janelle Wong, a sophomore from Dos Pueblos High, was named MVP after scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Wong, who had 16 points and four 3-pointers in the semifinals, hit four more triples, including three straight during a crucial run with six minutes to play.
Brooke Amenta added 11 points and nine rebounds for SBCC while Brooke Berry had 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Mercedes Gonzalez chipped in with eight points and six boards and Imelda Bealer racked up five points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocks.
Nanice Kollee, a transfer from Moorpark College, scored eight of her 10 points in the first half when the Vaqueros grabbed a 27-23 lead.
The visitors only hit 28.1 percent from the field but made up for it at the free-throw line where they were 21-of-27. The Raiders shot 31.4 percent and struggled from the foul line, making just 12-22.
“I’m excited that we finally won a title,” said SBCC coach Sandrine Krul, whose team topped the eight-team Moorpark field for the first time in her seven seasons. “Moving Janelle to point guard has really helped our offense. That allows Lyndsay (Bergus) to play in the post and she’s a real beast for a 5-7 player.”
The last two days were especially sweet for Krul, a former All-State player at L.A. Valley. The Vaqueros downed Valley 76-59 in the semifinals, then knocked off Moorpark, where Krul coached before coming to SBCC.
Santa Barbara will take two weeks off before opening play in the Grossmont Tournament on Dec. 28 against Mt. San Jacinto.
