Freshman Amber Melgoza is making an impact on the Santa Barbara High girls basketball team.
Melgoza scored 11 points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to help the Dons defeat Camarillo 61-53 in a non-league game Thursday night at J.R. Richards Gym.
Santa Barbara coach Andrew Butcher credited the team’s rebounding as a key to the win.
“An improvement in our rebounding allowed Camarillo few second shots in the second, and turned out to be the difference in the game,” he said.
Santa Barbara trailed by four points at the end of the first quarter but managed to tie the score by halftime. The Dons got their running game going in the second half and steadily pulled away.
“We were able to convert on several easy transition baskets to help make up for a lackluster night executing in the half court,” said Butcher.
Ivette Gil scored 21 points and had five steals to lead the Dons (6-2). Dessy Coleman added 20 points, with six assists and five rebounds.
The Dons next action is Wednesday against St. Boneventure in the opening round of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions. St. Bonaventure is ranked third in CIF Division 4A. Santa Barbara is fourth in Division 3AA.
