There was no looking ahead to the next game for the Palisades High girls basketball squad, which won its season opener Tuesday against Palos Verdes, 54-22, in the first round of the 11th annual Palisades Beach Invitational.
Knowing that a potential quarterfinal matchup against powerhouse Mater Dei was looming, the Dolphins made sure not to let the opportunity slip through their fingers, outscoring the visiting Sea Queens 18-2 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 35-10 by halftime.
“Everyone was unselfish and shared the ball,” Pali High Coach Torino Johnson said. “We did a great job of playing team basketball and we’re going to have to do it again tomorrow.”
Bianca King scored 24 points, Sammy Spanier had 16 and Hydeia Duronslet added six points as Palisades earned a shot at Mater Dei, which looked every bit like the top-ranked team in the state after crushing Long Beach Millikan 95-36.
Katie Lou Samuelson scored 26 of her 30 points in the first half and Ally Rosenblum added 24 for the Monarchs.
In other games, Bakersfield Garces came from behind to beat Gardena Serra 60-53 in overtime despite 25 points from Cavaliers guard Nautica Morrow and Oaks Christian held off a late surge from West Torrance to win 65-53.
The Palisades-Mater Dei game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by the last championship quarterfinal between Garces and Oaks Christian.
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