Comets run away from Pirates to win Coast Christmas Classic title ... again

COSTA MESA -- It was a record-setting performance by Kendall Crosby and her Palomar College teammates as the Comets rolled past host Orange Coast, 98-53, to claim their third consecutive Coast Christmas Classic title on Wednesday night inside the Peterson Gym.

Crosby scored 28 points, including a tournament-record eight 3-pointers, earning MVP honors for the three-day event. All-tournament selections Christina Ellis (13 points, seven rebounds) and Ariana Hernandez (six points, but 22 in the tourney opener) also provided offensive support throughout the event. 

In all, the Comets (12-2) scored 256 points in the tournament, breaking the old mark of 252, set by Fullerton in 1997.

Both teams put on a shooting display in the opening quarter as the Pirates (10-5) hung tough with the favored Comets and trailed, 28-25 after the opening 10 minutes. 

In the final seconds of the first quarter, with the game delayed due to an injury, Palomar head coach Leigh Marshall demanded a better effort on the defensive end and her players responded, outscoring Coast, 30-8 in the second quarter and 70-28 the rest of the way.

Sydney Driggs and Michelle Wu each had 14 points for the Pirates, who were held to 9-of-38 shooting over the final three quarters after shooting 10-of-20 in the opening quarter.

In other Coast Christmas Classic action ... 

Irvine Valley 64, Cerritos 42 -- In the consolation final, all-tournament selection Kydell Pearson had 19 points to lead the Lasers (7-6), while Kiara Warren added 15 points and 12 rebounds. IVC out-rebounded the Falcons, 55-32 and held Cerritos to under 30 percent shooting from the floor (18-of-62). All-tournament selection Crystal Rodriguez had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Falcons.

Saddleback 62, Chaffey 37 -- It was a rough start for the Panthers (9-7) as the Gauchos (11-4) grabbed a 33-12 first-half lead and never looked back. Kiazha Ginwright had 24 points and six rebounds to lead the way for Saddleback, while Irma Ealy added 12 points. For the Panthers, Alexis Frondarina had 10 points, while Melanie Henderson chipped in seven.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Chaffey -- Melanie Henderson

Saddleback -- Kara Ito

Cerritos -- Crystal Rodriguez

Irvine Valley -- Kydell Pearson

Orange Coast -- Chyann Pendergrass

Orange Coast -- Sydney Driggs

Palomar -- Ariana Hernandez

Palomar -- Christina Ellis

Palomar -- Kendall Crosby (MVP)