Dolphins Swim to St. Monica Title

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Matched against an undefeated opponent determined to defend its tournament title, the Palisades High girls basketball team knew it had to be at its best – especially without one of its best players on the court.

Star point guard Chelsey Gipson was out with an injury, but freshman Kayla Williams stepped up to the challenge with 26 points, 10 steals, two assists and two rebounds as the Dolphins defeated host St. Monica, 66-56, on Friday night in the championship game of the St. Monica Invitational.

It marked the fourth consecutive win for Palisades (6-2), which captured its first tournament title of the season after taking sixth place at its 12th annual Palisades Beach Invitational in November.

Led by Kayla Merrill-Gillett, Caytlnn Gorden and Chaniya Pickett, the Dolphins took a 30-27 halftime lead against the Mariners.

After opening the tournament with a forfeit win against Inglewood, which failed to show up for Tuesday’s first pool play matchup, Palisades outscored Culver City 33-12 in the second half en route to a 58-36 victory.

Gipson  led the way with 17 points, seven steals, six rebounds and three assists. Merrill-Gillett had 15 points, Williams had 11 points and eight rebounds and Gorden added nine points.

The Dolphins advanced to the championship game with a 73-53 victory over Notre Dame Academy in the final round of pool play.

Merrill-Gillett finished with 26 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals and Williams added 16 points, six steals, four assists and three rebounds.