Despite missing 12 layups, the Cabrillo girls basketball team still had a chance to pull out a victory in a second round game at the VCA Holiday Tournament on Tuesday.

But with a chance to tie the game from the free throw line, the shots didn't go in as the Conquistadores fell to Nordhoff 48-46 in an early morning game in Hofschulte Gym on the St. Joseph High campus.

Cabrillo held a 38-29 lead at the end of three quarters after holding the Rangers to one basket in the third.

Thanks to an effective full-court press and converted jump shots, Nordhoff outscored Cabrillo 19-8 in the closing quarter to get the win.

Nordhoff connected on two 3-point baskets in the decisive fourth. The Rangers hit five free throws while the Conqs were 0-for-1 from the line - that one attempt came with under 10 seconds remaining in the game.

The Conqs led 28-27 at the half, but Cabrillo head coach Mark Tasch felt the lead should have been bigger.

“If you can't make layups jeez-o-Pete,” Tasch lamented. “The score at the half should have been 50-26 and we were up by a point.

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“We should have been up by 25 points if we could just make layups.”

Tasch felt the Conqs were not ready to play the game, which is why they missed nine lay-ups and several short jump shots in the first half.

“You can't lollygag your way through warm-ups and then expect to play,” he explained. “We like to waltz our way through warm-ups then play - it doesn't work.

“As you could see looking at our first half today, we weren't ready to play and we let them hang around.”

Nordhoff kept Cabrillo off balance, especially in the fourth quarter with its pressure defense.

“Nordhoff was really prepared,” Tasch said. “They kept switching on us and giving us a different look all the time, which I thought was really difficult for us.”

Tasch was pleased with the effort of his team, but was not happy with the execution.

“We are still trying to learn,” he said. “Effortwise, yeah - but effort isn't going to win.”

The Conquistadores played Campbell Hall in an afternoon matchup. Campbell Hall won 59-39.

Bonenfant led the Conqs with 14 points.

Cabrillo wraps up the VCA Holiday Tournament with a 9:30 a.m. game today against either Coast Union or Nordhoff.

Girls soccer

Santa Maria Varsity Tournament

Lompoc topped Nipomo 2-0 for the consolation championship on the final day of play at the Santa Maria Varsity Tournament.

In the title game, Centennial (Corona) edged San Luis Obispo 1-0 with a score in the last minute of play. In the third-place game, Atascadero defeated Western Christian 3-0.

Paso Robles won the fifth-place game 6-0 over Pioneer Valley.

In the day's previous games, Nipomo beat Morro Bay 1-0, Lompoc topped Pioneer Valley 3-0, Centennial edged Atascadero 1-0 and SLO beat Western Christian 2-0.

Morro Bay beat Santa Maria despite Jasmin Reyes-Corona's score for the Saints.

December 31, 2008