The Malibu High School girls’ varsity basketball team on Saturday short-handedly played a double-header in the Santa Monica College Fall Tournament, with only seven players in both games.
All- league guard Danielle Bush led the Sharks to an exciting 44-43 victory over L.A. Poly, scoring a season high of 25 points, including a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to play and Malibu down by two points. Freshman guard Helena Vazelakis, scored 13 points, then made two foul shots to finalize the victory. The team made an unusually high total of 13 foul shots, and forward Sierra Zontelli continued her effective rebounding, as well as aggressive defensive play under the baskets.
But Roosevelt Rough Riders in the second game defeated Malibu 35-25, though the teams were tied early in the second half. The Sharks’ freshman twins, Helena and Marie Vazelakis, and co-captain Bush, each scored seven points in the disappointing loss.
Following the game, Coach Andy Meyer said, “I am extremely pleased with the progress the girls have made, both individually and collectively as a team, as we move closer to our upcoming regular season games.”
This Saturday, the Sharks will face the Culver City Centars and the Conejo Quakes in their final games of the tournament.