UPDATE: The West Torrance girls basketball team has kicked off their Battle at the Beach Tournament with a commanding 49-38 victory over Village Christian, showcasing their ambitions for the CIF-SS playoffs this season. The match took place at Redondo Union High on Tuesday, highlighting early promise for the Warriors.
West Torrance surged ahead with a remarkable performance, particularly in the first quarter, where they established a stunning 14-point lead. Freshman sensation Kayla Nayak and sophomore standout Hailey Igbokwe played pivotal roles, with Nayak netting 17 points—including three crucial three-pointers—while Igbokwe contributed 9 points and 11 rebounds.
“We started out really well, especially defensively,” said West coach Keith Prendergast. “I’m proud of how we responded and got a good win.”
The Warriors dominated the game from the outset, leading by as many as 22 points at halftime. Nayak’s aggressive play and sharp shooting proved instrumental as she hit her third three-pointer to extend the lead early in the second quarter. The team’s balanced attack and defensive prowess kept Village Christian at bay, even as they attempted a comeback.
Despite Village Christian narrowing the gap to 15 points later in the game, West regained control with key baskets from Igbokwe and Nayak, including a spectacular reverse lay-up by Nayak that pushed the score to 46-28 with just over five minutes remaining.
“This tournament is important for us to do well in,” said Igbokwe, emphasizing the significance of the tournament for their season. “It gives us a good idea how things are going to be once we start playing in league.”
The Warriors will continue pool play on Wednesday against Leuzinger, looking to build on their momentum. Nayak expressed the team’s aspirations, stating, “Doing well in this tournament will give us some momentum early in the season and hopefully by league, we will be ready to make the playoffs this year. Our goal is to hang a CIF banner.”
This early tournament win positions West Torrance favorably as they look to solidify their playoff ambitions. Fans and supporters are eager to see how the team develops in the coming matches.
