It was a heck of a way to start a title defense, as Poly’s girls’ basketball team took their first step towards another CIF title and a fifth straight state title Thursday night, beating Aliso Niguel 72-23.  Poly’s defense was stifling and their offensive gameplan sound, as they pounded the ball inside effectively.  About the only time they were stopped was after an Aliso three-point attempt went left, and got stuck between the glass and the rim, causing a brief delay (or a much-needed breather, for the visitors).

Aliso Niguel is a hot-shooting team, having launched 600 three-point attempts this season.  Poly didn’t give them any space—not many shooters had a quick release—and they shot very poorly, hitting just seven field goals in the game (all of them from behind the arc).  Poly was up 4-3, before going on a 19-0 run to close the first quarter, eventually leading 26-3, 37-5, and then 45-8 at halftime, when most of the starters came out of the game for good.

Leaders for the Rabbits were Ariya Crook-Williams, with 11 points, and Destiny King, with 8.  Tamryn Tanimoto was the high scorer for Aliso, with 6.

It wasn’t a bye, but Poly did take advantage of the opportunity to help rest some banged-up players, as TaNitra Byrd and Ashley Wilson both sat out the game, and Thaddesia Southall got plenty of rest as well.  Poly coach Carl Buggs said after the game there isn’t a set timetable for either player’s return, but that they could be available next week.

“We didn’t let them get threes early, which was the key,” he said.  “If they get a few early that can give them a big boost.”

Poly will play Alhambra in the second round on Saturday; home court will be decided by a coin flip Friday morning.