URGENT UPDATE: The West Torrance girls basketball team has kicked off their season with a strong start, claiming a 49-38 victory over Village Christian in the opening game of the Battle at the Beach tournament on October 31, 2023, at Redondo Union High. This win serves as a crucial early benchmark for the Warriors as they aim for a spot in the CIF-SS playoffs this season.
West Torrance surged ahead with an impressive performance, thanks to standout players Kayla Nayak and Hailey Igbokwe. Freshman Nayak scored nine of her game-high 17 points in the first quarter, while sophomore Igbokwe contributed five of her nine points, helping the team establish a commanding 14-point lead early on.
Coach Keith Prendergast praised his team’s defensive efforts, stating, “We started out really well especially defensively. I knew they would bounce back and make a run, but I’m proud of how we responded and got a good win.” Nayak’s performance was particularly noted, as Prendergast highlighted her aggressive scoring ability and potential for growth within the program.
With a dominant lead of 16 points early in the second quarter, Nayak hit her third 3-pointer, followed by a three from Katie Moore, pushing the Warriors to a substantial 22-point advantage by halftime. The momentum continued as Nayak began the second half with another 3-pointer.
However, Village Christian fought back, narrowing the gap to 15 points late in the third quarter. The Warriors regained control with Igbokwe scoring crucial baskets in the fourth quarter, including a reverse lay-up that extended the lead to 46-28 with just over five minutes remaining.
Igbokwe reflected on the game, emphasizing the importance of the tournament, stating, “I think we played really hard tonight especially defensively. This tournament is important for us to do well in. It gives us a good idea how things are going to be once we start playing in league.”
Despite a late surge from Village Christian, West Torrance maintained their lead, with a late three from Moore securing a comfortable margin of victory. Nayak expressed hope for the season, saying, “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. Our goal is to do well in playoffs and hopefully hang a (CIF) banner.”
The Warriors will continue their tournament journey on November 1, 2023, against Leuzinger, as they strive to build on this promising start. Fans and supporters are eager to see if West Torrance can carry this momentum into the rest of the season.
Stay tuned for updates on their progress and further developments from the tournament!
