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Sports

Trabuco Hills Girls Top San Juan Hills for First League Victory Since 2005

Mustangs, losers of 64 consecutive Sea View League games, defeat visiting Stallions, 59-40, for their first Sea View League girls basketball victory since February, 2005.

Every once in a while, a victory transcends records or standings and feels far more like a stepping stone than simply another scheduled game. Such was the case Tuesday night, when the Trabuco Hills girls basketball team took down visiting San Juan Hills, 59-40, to secure the team's first Sea View League victory since Feb. 7, 2005.

The Mustangs finally managed to clear the King Kong-sized monkey off their backs with an impressive effort against the Stallions. Trabuco Hills (3-17, 1-3) tallied 20 points in the third quarter and amassed its second-highest scoring output of the season.

Despite being mired in a season of struggles, the Mustangs' long-awaited league victory provided the team with a reason to celebrate. Trabuco Hills’ third-year coach Clark "Biff" Burrell believed his squad was primed to end its league losing streak.

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"I had a talk with the girls before this game started," Burrell said. "Coming into this one, we had five games left in the season. We plan on winning those last five, this is number one. Sometimes we don't come out mentally prepared, but each time we play hard from beginning to end, we've got a chance to win. The key is to keep this group sharp so we can take care of business."

Trabuco Hills dropped a startling 64 consecutive league contests until Tuesday, making the win especially significant to a group of seniors who've spent their high school careers playing the nail to league opponents' hammers. 

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"I've been with a lot of these girls for the past three years and they earned it," said Burrell. "They bought into what I was selling from beginning to end tonight. They played hard on both ends of the court, dove on the floor for loose balls and made good decisions. I'm proud of them."

The Mustangs trailed,11-10 after the first quarter, but quickly seized the lead early in the second. Trabuco Hills jumped ahead 16-13 and eventually entered intermission on top 25-20.

Knowing their lackluster league history all too well, the Mustangs appeared to enter the second half with a twinkle in their eye. Trabuco Hills hit the floor with a determined style of play and hustle that outmatched that of San Juan Hills (8-11, 0-4).

Senior Bria Beduya dominated the game’s third quarter. The 5-foot-4 guard scored 12 of her game-high 19 points in the frame. Thanks to Beduya’s sensational shooting, which featured two three-point field goals, the Mustangs stormed into the fourth quarter leading 45-33, sights set on closing out the elusive Sea View win.

Trabuco Hills started the final stretch strong, pushing its advantage to 50-33 with 5:30 remaining. Though the Mustangs never quite figured out how to stop San Juan Hills’ senior Cristina Parra, who finished with 17 points and four assists, they shut down her supporting cast. The defensive effort preserved Trabuco Hills’ expanded lead and drove the team toward the final horn.

"It was important we maintained that cushion late," Burrell said. "We continued to box out on rebounds and hustle defensively. That's what you have to do. When you've got a lead you need to take away the other team's heart and hopes. Every time they came scratching back, we had an answer."

The reality that the Mustangs have no shot at a playoff appearance or title went out the window when the game concluded. Fans and players alike reveled in the aftermath of Trabuco Hills’ first league win in nearly six years.

"I'm really excited for our team because we've worked hard all season for this," said guard Amelia DePue, who scored 12 points. "It feels good to finally have a decent win. This win gives us a ton of confidence and makes the team want to keep on pushing harder and pick up some more in the next few games."

Trabuco Hills heads to league-leading Capistrano Valley (9-10, 4-0) on Friday. The Stallions travel to Aliso Niguel (11-10, 2-2) the same day, hoping to halt a four-game slide. 

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