Buena Stays Unbeaten With Win at Rio Mesa

Buena, the second-ranked team in the Southern Section, erupted for eight quick points to open the second half and went on to defeat host Rio Mesa, 57-43, Thursday night in a Channel League game.

Buena, which is undefeated, beat Rio Mesa by the same score in January.

The loss left Rio Mesa, which plays Ventura tonight, in a three-way tie for second place in the Channel League.

The stubborn defense of Rio Mesa guard Kris Engel and teammate Tami Hobson’s basket with two seconds left in the first quarter gave the Spartans an 11-10 lead. But Hobson and Engel weren’t the only Spartans who turned in solid performances.

With Buena’s 6-foot center, Teresa Talmissano, sidelined with an injury, Rio Mesa didn’t hesitate to go inside to Yvette Young. Buena’s 6-foot center, Leslie Carpenter, and Tina Giordano were not able to contain Young, who finished with game-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds.

“Yvette is probably one of the best inside centers in high school basketball,” Rio Mesa Coach George Valenzuela said. “She has natural moves and strength which are two pluses for a person to be considered an exceptionally good player. We wanted to go inside to her as much as possible because I knew Carpenter and Giordano couldn’t contain her.”

Despite the standout play of Young, Buena built a 32-24 halftime lead and went to a zone press defense and forced three quick turnovers to open the second half. The Bulldogs scored on all three turnovers and added another basket in an 8-0 run that gave them a 40-24 lead. Becky Sievers and Carpenter each scored two field goals in the spurt.

Rio Mesa committed three more turnovers and Buena built a 44-27 lead midway through the third quarter.

“The thing with Buena is that they are so disciplined and you have to be consistent, otherwise you’ll get beaten,” said Valenzuela. “It was their bench that won the game for them.”

Reserves Tricia Sheats and Tami Seay scored 10 and four points, respectively, for Buena. Rio Mesa’s reserves were held scoreless.

Buena is 24-0 overall and 14-0 in the Channel League. Rio Mesa is 20-4 overall and 10-4 in league play.

BUENA--Giordano 4; Carpenter 12; Sievers 16; Casey 4; Klemm 11; Sheats 10.

RIO MESA--O’Brien 7 and 9 rebounds; Young 21 and 11 rebounds; Hobson 5 and 5 assists; Hoag 6; Engel 4 and 5 steals.