Long Beach Poly Wins SoCal Girls 7s
Long Beach Poly Wins SoCal Girls 7s
Long Beach Poly won the SoCal HS Girls 7s championships over the weekend.
Poly went 4-0 on the day, recording three shutouts and only giving up 10 points.
Pool Play
LB Poly kept the ball alive and retained possession throughout their opener with Rancho Bernardo C, with newer players Selieni Paseka, Amylia Petaia, and Denise Herrera-Cruz showing well, especially on defense. Long Beach Poly won 38-0.
Against Fallbrook the defense was very strong and Poly's plan was to keep the ball alive, commit early in every ruck, and stay aggressive on defense. And that's what they did, with Khalea Pahulu, Sydney-Rae Pua, Renny Jennings-Faletoi, and Jendell Moe all contributing big tackles. Nila Lolesio-Pua, Lolua Tauanu'u, Aries Popoali'i, and captain Gianna Diaz's helped set up an attack that was clicking. Long Beach Poly won 59-0.
And finally against San Marcos LB Poly pitched another shutout. Freshmen Selieni Paseka, Ezralynn Fa'atiliga, and Loa Duong stood out in a game that ensured a place in the final.
Championship Game
Working the pop passes against Fallbrook, Poly was able to keep the ball moving and the defense guessing. With Jendell Moe, Sydney-Rae Pua, and Khalea Pahulu's laid in some hard hits and they took a lead into halftime. In the second half Fallbrook ramped up their attack, but Long Beach responded with Diaz, Tauanu'u, Jennings-Faletoi, and Popoali'i getting Poly close.
This set up Herrera-Cruz to score two late tries to ice it 27-10.
