By Denise Chavez
The Huskies upset the state’s No.19-ranked Saddleback College,70-56, on Saturday to win their initial Husky Classic tournament.
Dioseline Lopez from ELAC won the Most Valuable Player award.
Lopez scored 36 points in total, and added 16 assists leading the Huskies to their tournament wins.
“(It) feels nice, but this is really about the team. Anything I do is a result of working with this team,” Lopez said after being awarded the tournament’s MVP award.
The Huskies also beat College of the Desert, 105-71, in the semifinals.
ELAC beat Los Angeles Harbor College, 86-46, in the first round.
Prior to the championship game ELAC Head Coach Bruce Turner said,”We delivered without error.”
The Huskies won their games with stingy defense and overall depth.
Everyone on the team’s roster was able to participate in the games, which gave all players a chance to play and improve their skills.
The tournament averaged 105 fans in attendance per game.
“We had a lot of competitive teams this year and will hopefully grow in our second annual Husky Classic next season,” Turner said.
L.A. Trade Tech College beat Harbor, 85-60, for the consolation championship.
Scottsdale Community College of Arizona beat Desert, 82-70, to take the last spots.
The All-Tournament Team included Tasheba Henery and Patrice Darden of L.A. Trade Tech, Alyssa Camacho of Scottsdale and Tatiana Moana of Saddleback.
Jocelyn Diaz and Lopez were the Huskies who made the All-Tournament Team.
The Huskies won third place at the fifth annual Mission College Saints Classic on Nov. 15-17 in Santa Clara.
“This was a tougher team than last year because we play as one and communicate better,” Husky center Karina Ortiz said.
ELAC’s next competition will be at the Cypress College Charger Tournament on Dec.6-8.
The Huskies will enter the next tournament with a 5-1 overall record in non-conference play.
