UPDATE: The West Torrance girls basketball team has kicked off the Battle at the Beach Tournament with a resounding 49-38 victory over Village Christian, showcasing their ambitions for a strong season and a return to the CIF-SS playoffs.
In a thrilling opener held at Redondo Union High on Tuesday, the Warriors surged to an impressive 14-point lead in the first quarter, driven by standout performances from freshman Kayla Nayak and sophomore Hailey Igbokwe. Nayak, who scored nine of her game-high 17 points in the opening minutes, set the pace early, while Igbokwe contributed five of her nine points during the same stretch.
“We started out really well, especially defensively,” said West coach Keith Prendergast. “I knew they would bounce back and make a run, but I’m proud of how we responded and got a good win.”
As the game progressed, West maintained their momentum, leading by as much as 22 points at halftime. Nayak’s continued scoring, including multiple three-pointers, helped the Warriors keep a firm grip on the game.
Igbokwe, who also recorded 11 rebounds, expressed the importance of the tournament, stating, “This tournament is important for us to do well in. It gives us a good idea of how things are going to be once we start playing in league.”
Despite a late push from Village Christian that cut the deficit to 13 points, West’s defense held strong. A crucial three-pointer from Katie Moore with just over two minutes left extended the lead back to 16 points. Nayak emphasized the team’s goal, stating, “Doing well in this tournament will give us some momentum early in the season and hopefully by league we will be ready so that we can make the playoffs this year.”
The Warriors will continue their quest for victory in pool play on Wednesday against Leuzinger, as they aim to build on their early success and solidify their playoff aspirations.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as the Battle at the Beach Tournament continues!
