Schulte sparkles

On a night when Laguna Beach High honored its senior girls basketball

players, it was Corona del Mar junior Katie Schulte who took over the

spotlight.

Schulte hit a game-high 30 points, including a go-ahead

three-pointer with 2:28 to play, as CdM went on to upset the

Breakers, 65-58, in the Pacific Coast League finale for both teams

Tuesday at Laguna Beach.

Schulte’s three-pointer gave CdM a 57-55 lead it never

relinquished.

Schulte scored eight of her 30 points in the fourth quarter.

Kristina Wayte had a key rebound and basket to put the Sea Kings

up, 59-55. Allie Duernberger hit a free throw to make it 60-55.

Schulte had a key jumper and a free throw to extend the lead to

63-57 with 30 seconds to play.

Duernberger finished with 10 points

CdM trailed by 10 points midway through the second quarter, then

outscored the Breakers, 13-3, down the stretch to pull even at the

half, 28-28.

“It was a very emotional start to the game for Laguna because it

was senior night and we had to match their intensity and emotion the

entire game,” Scott Kahawai said. “We did a great job defensively in

the game and in the second half we were able to impose our will on

them. The girls did a great job in pulling out the win.”

The Sea Kings, who beat Laguna Beach, 54-42, Jan. 20 at CdM,

outscored the Breakers, 13-4, to end the third quarter. The run was

capped by Ashley Marks’ buzzer-beating layup to take a 52-43 lead

into the fourth.

But Laguna Beach fought back at the outset of final frame and took

its final lead with 2:53 to play on Claire Bevacqua’s driving layup,

55-54.

CdM (13-13, 5-5 in league) finished out of an automatic CIF

Southern Section Division II-AA playoff berth. Kahawai said he will

petition the CIF office Saturday for a wild-card berth.

“I’m hoping they will take into consideration we beat our league

champion twice,” he said. “No matter what the outcome Saturday, I’m

really proud of the girls. They finished the season really strong.”