Peninsula Beats El Toro

Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula High won its third section title in four years by defeating El Toro, 64-55, in the Southern Section Division I-AA final at the Pyramid Saturday night.

“This never gets boring,” Peninsula Coach Wendell Yoshida said. “It’s always fun to win.”

Center Natalie Kelly had 17 points and 17 rebounds and Kimberly York and Lara Hanson each scored 12 points for Peninsula (26-4).

Peninsula kept in check half of El Toro’s high-scoring sister duo with man-to-man defense.

Junior Giuliana Mendiola did score 34 points for El Toro (23-5). But Peninsula’s Lauryn Morita was the primary defender on Gioconda Mendiola. Gioconda Mendiola averages 19 points, but managed only eight on three-of-13 shooting.