Santa Cruz High’s girls basketball team produced a Hollywood finish at the Dragons New Year’s Tournament in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Junior Karolina Espinosa shined as the protagonist with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and three assists, and the Cardinals beat Gardena 46-26 in the championship at Helen Bernstein High on Saturday to extend their first win streak of the season to three games.

“Our team has built a lot of trust this week and come a long ways in our development,” Cardinals coach Todd Trowbridge said. “And we have our eyes fixed squarely on competing for another league title.”

Espinosa’s teammates, who stepped into lead roles in the Cardinals’ other games, proved to be a formidable supporting cast in the final. Santa Cuz (5-7 overall) finished with 34 rebounds, 20 steals, and 13 assists.

“We have a number of weapons on our team this year that can cause problems for our opponents in league,” Trowbridge said. “We expect each league team to work hard to beat us. We believe we are up to the challenge of defending our league title from last season.”

Nadia Delgadillo scored eight points for Santa Cruz. Josie Sanford scored five points, and Sasha Wallan and Kelaiah Wynn each scored four. Bri Fernandez had two points, six rebounds, four steals and four assists. And Ania Sinnott had two points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists.

“For us, our defense fuels our offense,” Trowbridge said. “We work hard to get our hands in the passing lanes and cause chaos for our opponents offensive plan.”

Junior point guard Isabella Sanchez and senior forward Shamia Overton each scored six points for the Panthers (6-9).

There wasn’t an all-tournament team, but the Cardinals received championship hoodies and a winner’s banner.

If any movie studios are considering bidding on a potential script, the Sentinel’s suggested title is: “Girlz N The Hoodies.”

Santa Cruz has two more nonleague games remaining. It hosts Notre Dame (3-3) of San Jose on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m., and plays at Monterey (2-6) in a make-up game Jan. 18 at noon.

Boys basketball

At Scotts Valley 57, Leigh 53 >> Center Jacob Sanders had 16 points and 19 rebounds, and the Falcons stunned the Longhorns in nonleague action Saturday

Will Shilling and Taylor Knox each scored 15 points for Scotts Valley (6-7).

“Great win for our guys,” Falcons coach Gabe Gonzales said.

The Falcons face defending Central Coast Section Division IV finalist Menlo (8-4) in Atherton on Friday at 7 p.m.

At St. Francis 75, Gilroy 49 >> Robert Gomez made seven 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 28 points in the Sharks’ nonleague win Saturday. He scored 22 points in the second half.

The Sharks (9-3) buried 16 3s on 33 attempts. Nash Horton made four 3s and scored 21 points. Isaiah Villalobos also made four 3s and scored 12 points.

Mason Borrego pulled down a team-high six rebounds and had three assists for St. Francis.

Senior forward Michael Graef scored 17 points for the Mustangs (3-9)

The Sharks open Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division play at King City (1-9) on Monday at 7 p.m.

Soledad 74, San Lorenzo Valley 46 >> The short-handed Cougars struggled with their perimeter defense and surrendered 17 3-pointers in their nonleague loss Saturday.

Caleb Cox scored 12 points for the Cougars (4-7), who trailed 33-23 at the half. Wyatt Himmelstrup scored 11 points, and

Guard Pablo Morales IV made 10 3s and scored a game-high 36 points for the Aztecs (3-8). Guard Pedro Morales Jr. made three 3s and scored 13 points.

SLV plays at Live Oak (5-8) in Morgan Hill on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Girls soccer

Pajaro Valley 6, Cristo Rey 0 >> Valeria Acosta had a hat trick to gain sole possession of the school’s career goals record (61), and the Grizzlies won the She Kicks Classic in Salinas on Saturday.

Scarlet Gomez and Leilani Vazquez each had a goal and an assist. Carmen Estanquero also scored, and Jocelyn Juarez had two assists.

Denise Magalion made four saves for the Grizzlies (7-1-0), who host North Monterey County (7-1-0) to open PCAL Mission Division play on Monday at 3:30 p.m.

Boys soccer

Harbor 1, Archbishop Riordan 0 >> Ethan Smith scored on a corner kick from Alex Aparicio in the 51st minute, and the Pirates won their nonleague match in San Francisco on Saturday.

Riordan dropped to 2-4-0.

Goalie Damian Escalante made three saves for the Pirates (8-1-1), who host Scotts Valley on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.

At Archbishop Mitty 7, Watsonville 1; >> Junior Angel Castro scored for the Wildcatz in their nonleague road loss in San Jose on Saturday.

The Monarchs improved to 4-0-2.

The Wildcatz (1-2-4) host vs King City (2-2-3) to open PCAL Mission Division play on Tuesday at 5:45 p.m.

Women’s basketball

Lemoore 51, at Cabrillo 48 >> Freshman forward Gabby Brooks scored 16 points but the Seahawks were upset in nonconference action Saturday.

The Seahawks trailed 29-17 at the half.

Sophomore forward Renee Parker scored 12 points for Cabrillo, and freshman guard Sydney Chesnut made three 3s and finished with nine points.

Sophomore guard Yuliza Padilla made three of her five 3s in the first half and finished with a game-high 20 points for the Golden Eagles (4-10). Freshman guard Bethany Oliva added 11 points.

Cabrillo (11-6) opens Coast Conference South Division play at Gavilan (2-14) on Wednesday at 5 p.m.