University’s star guard Malia Goldsmith to miss signficant playing time after suffering hand injury

University senior Malia Goldsmith is out with a hand injury.

University’s girls basketball team is off to another great start with a 12-5 overall record and 2-0 mark atop the Pacific Coast League.

But the Trojans path to a second consecutive league title is more challenging following the loss of its star senior guard Malia Goldsmith because of a hand injury.

“We think Malia is out for six weeks, so pretty much the whole season,” said University Coach Nicole Bradshaw last week after the Trojans held on to defeat Northwood 38-31. “We’re not sure, she will be re-evaluated in three weeks. We don’t know, could be three to six weeks.

“It’s a small fracture in the bone and so it’s near the joint (in her left hand). She played on in for two games, taped it up and had no pain whatsoever, so I thought we were OK. But all of a sudden, she shows up in a cast.”

Bradshaw said that Goldsmith doesn’t know how she injured her hand.

Goldsmith was doing it all for the Trojans. She was averaging 20.2 points a game, had made 38 3-pointers and was averaging 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 steals a game.

“It’s sad for her, because she already broke a school record, number of steals in a career and she was going to break the career points record and the 3-pointer (record),” Bradshaw said.

Without Goldsmith, University fought off a challenge by Northwood. Aryn Press had 10 points and Neeyaz Cyrus nine points to lead the Trojans.

“Our goal was to win by one,” Bradshaw said. “We take it one day at a time and get better with this other group.”

Freshman Guila Roy will take over the point guard spot and sophomore Niaz Jahanbin will also be called upon.

“Things were going so well for us,” Bradshaw said.

In addition, junior guard Claire Kawata sprained her ankle but Bradshaw believes she will be ready for the next league game (Tuesday, Jan. 8 at Portola).

University also defeated Irvine 54-52 in double overtime on Friday, Dec. 20 in a Pacific Coast League game. Press scored 25 points and Cyrus had 10 points to lead the Trojans.

University’s next game is Friday, Dec. 28, at home against Trabuco Hills.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com