Pali High Hoops Shoots Light Out

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

If you have an open shot, take it. That is what Palisades High girls basketball coach Adam Levine told his team before last Thursday’s nonleague home game against Crescenta Valley. The message was heard loud and clear.

Left unguarded behind the three-point line, Palisades players kept shooting—and making—from long range, erasing a five-point halftime deficit with a three-point barrage that buried the Falcons, 83-60. The Dolphins were not hot, they were sizzling. By the final buzzer they had hit 14 three-pointers, including five by sophomore guard Ayla Teegardin, who led all scorers with 22 points. Alyssa Ramirez added 20 points with one three-pointer, Aniah Bradley had 12 points with two three-pointers, Jennika Essapour had nine points on three three-pointers, Braelyn Manumaleuna had two three-pointers and Elly Tierney had one. Palisades outscored Crescenta Valley 47-19 in the second half.

The Falcons were led by Utah-bound Kylie Ray, who scored her team’s first 10 points and finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

The Dolphins (6-4) have won three straight since dropping their Western League opener at reigning City Open Division champion Westchester. The win streak started with a 49-25 blowut of University on Dec. 6. Three days later, Palisades routed Venice 77-21 as Essapour scored 20 points, Manumaleuna scored 15 and Teegardin added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Palisades finished 2-1 in the Westside Classic Nov. 28-30, defeating Simi Valley and Crenshaw before losing to Ventura 62-49. The Dolphins resume league when they host LACES at 2 p.m. Friday.

The Western League race is wide open as a result of Hamilton’s overtime upset of Westchester last week, as Hamilton, Westchester and Palisades are in a three-way tie atop the standings. Palisades hosts Hamilton after Winter Break on Jan. 17 and travels to face the Yankees in the league finale Feb. 2. Palisades and Westchester meet again Jan. 19 at Palisades. The Dolphins beat Hamilton in the Open Division finals in 2020 and 2021. Westchester lost the 2022 Open final to Birmingham.