Hedges’ season high lifts Lions over Royals

San Marcos defenders Emily Dietz, left, and Hope Morrison, right, close out on Providence Hall's Elizabeth Beebe. (Presidio Sports Photos)

Sydney Hedges’ season-high 20 points was a big part of Providence Hall’s 59-22 victory over San Marcos in a Green Division game of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions.

The Lions are the smallest school in the 32-team tournament but have a solid core of young basketball players. After a loss in the opener, the Lions rebounded convincingly.

“Today it was a better game just because everyone touched the ball, everyone contributed,” said Lions head coach Arianna Gnekow.

Beside Hedges, three other Lions reached double-digit scoring. Elizabeth Beebe contributed 14 points while Faith Emerson and Lacey Gonzalez matched each other with 10 apiece.

“We’re passing the ball more to other people so it’s not just one person or two people holding the ball and shooting. Everyone’s in it,” Hedges explained.

San Marcos had seven different players score but none managed more than five points individually. The Royals are struggling to score, averaging only 18 points in their two tournament games so far.

“We have to bring energy throughout the whole game,” said Royals head coach Devin Uyesaka, who liked that his team was able to pick up the scoring pace in the second half.

Both teams continue tournament play on Thursday. For a complete list of Wednesday’s scores, CLICK HERE.

PROVIDENCE HALL 59, SAN MARCOS 22

SM   3  5  8  6 – 22
PV  15 20 12 12 – 59

Providence Hall – Gonzalez 10, Emerson 10, Beebe 14, Hedges 20, Park 3, Hahs 2.
San Marcos – Dietz 3, Ball 1, COnboy 5, Escobar 5, Gil 5, Fuentes 2, Vasquez 1.

3-pointers SM 1 (Dietz), PV 0.