Fullerton girls battle back from big deficit to capture Orange Holiday Classic crown

Fullerton players (from left) Jaydyn Tovar, Savanna Douglas, Mahlia Jordan, Bella Ploessel, Kathy Kakimoto and Christina Hernandez with the championship plaque. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Fullerton’s girls basketball team erased a double-digit deficit and rallied to defeat Valley Christian 44-33 to capture the championship of the 60th annual Orange Holiday Basketball Classic Tuesday night at Orange High School.

What made the victory more impressive was that the Indians (13-6) accomplished the feat with only six players due to either illness or family commitments. Fullerton was without the services of key players Alanna Salas and Christina Hernandez, but the Indians battled and persevered.

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Nevertheless, Jaydyn Tovar scored 17 points. Mahlia Jordan (14 points) and Katey Kakimota (10 points) also sparked the Indians comeback.

“It’s amazing to win this tournament,” said Tovar, who scored 11 of her 17 points in the second half. “Even when we were down by 11 points, we all kept saying ‘we can do it.’ We’re missing a few starters and a couple of the other girls were sick, but we battled.”

Valley Christian (11-3) started the game off by drilling three 3-pointers in the first two minutes and built a 13-2 lead with 2:06 left in the opening quarter. However, Jordan notched two baskets in the final 90 seconds and cut the lead to 13-6 after the first quarter.

Jordan and Tovar combined to score all 11 of the Indians points in the second quarter and kept Fullerton within striking distance as they trailed 23-17 at the break.

Despite being shorthanded, the Indians turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, forcing 11 Valley Christian turnovers and changing the tide of the game.

Fullerton did not allow the Defenders to score in the final 7:40 of the quarter. In the meantime, the Indians went on a 16-0 run, led by Tovar and Jordan. Kakimoto’s 3-pointer at the three minute mark of the period gave Fullerton its first lead of the game, 28-26.

Jordan was a force inside as the junior center continued to challenge the Defenders’ defense by driving to the basket and rebounding. Tovar and Kakimoto’s ball handling and clutch baskets sparked the offense and all six of the Fullerton players displayed excellent stamina and hustle throughout the game.  

“We played aggressive and this win helped really boost our confidence as we get ready to a start league play,” said Jordan.

Jordan injured her right leg in the fourth quarter and left the game for a few minutes but returned later and helped her team close out the win.

Kakimoto hit two 3-pointers and Hernandez drilled a 3-pointer in the final quarter to put the game out of reach and give the Indians an inspiring and hard-fought victory.

Fullerton Coach Satchel Fitzsimons was pleased with his team’s effort and comeback.

“It’s an awesome win and to do it with six players makes it really cool,” said Fitzsimons. “We’re a young team and to get a win like this going into league play, starting Friday, will really help us with our confidence.”

The Indians forced 22 turnovers, won their fourth consecutive game, and snapped Valley Christian’s four-game winning streak.

“Give Fullerton credit, they took it to us on defense, and we couldn’t make shots,” said Valley Christian Coach Dan Leffler. “When you hold our top player (Hannah Burgoyne) to three points, it makes it tough on us. But we had a good tournament, and I told that to the girls afterwards. It was a positive tournament for us.”

Ariel Martinez (14 points) and Gracie Verhoef (11 points) led the Defenders with 14 and 11 points.

NOTES:

—The six Fullerton players who suited up for the championship game were Jaydyn Tovar, Katey Kakimoto, Christina Hernandez, Mahlia Jordan, Bella Ploessel, and Savannah Douglas.

—Valley Christian was also undermanned as they suited up only eight players for the final game.

—Several visiting coaches of the tournament noted how well the tournament was run, congratulating the Orange coaching staff and administration put on another successful tournament.

—The Indians defeated Irvine, Orange, and Westminster in their first three games of the tournament, while Valley Christian beat Montclair, Laguna Hills, and Apple Valley.

—Fullerton opens its Golden West league play on Friday against Tustin at home. The Defenders will start their Olympic League at home against Maranatha on Friday.