By Uy Pham
The Nishi sisters have etched their legacies in the basketball records at Fountain Valley High School. Melody Nishi, who graduated last year, broke the record for most three-pointers in a game with eight three-pointers two years ago against University High School.
This Saturday afternoon, junior Kailey Nishi broke the very same record once held by her sister, scoring nine three-pointers in the Fountain Valley (8-4) girls basketball’ 67-42 win against the Newport Harbor High School Sailors (6-7) in a Sunset League matchup.
“I’m very proud of her. I know that she was very hesitant to do it at first because she didn’t want to make her sister mad,” co-head coach Izabella Om said. “We didn’t want to put a lot of pressure on her because at the end of the day her making that many three-pointers — that’s just her game. We expected her to break [the record] at some point.”
Rounding out her record-breaking performance, Nishi led the team with a game-high 33 points. Senior Victoria Om scored six points, recorded several assists and facilitated the Barons’ offensive ball movement. Defensively, junior Sophie Hsieh led Fountain Valley’s defensive shape against a bigger Newport Harbor team.
“Hsieh did a really good job taking care of the ball. Defensively, she was stellar,” Izabella Om said. “We played a team that was a lot bigger than us, so it was a challenge. Sophie stepped up and really battled down low with the taller girls.
Newport Harbor won the tip-off, but a steal by Victoria Om led to a quick fastbreak point for the Barons. Senior Karley Waite secured a block and rebound, but the Sailors’ defense initially posed as offensive obstacles and forced turnovers from the Barons.
However, Nishi would score her first of four three-pointers in the quarter on a fastbreak. The Sailors stole the ball on the next possession and converted their first points of the game, bringing the score to 5-2.
Victoria Om scored two more baskets for the Barons, working to drive past several Sailors below the basket to secure a layup for the Baron. Hsieh secured points of their own, and with 2:10 remaining, Waite dished the ball out to the three-point line for Tran’s three-pointer.
To finish the quarter, Nishi scored three three-pointers in two minutes assisted by Victoria Om and Hsieh, including a buzzer beater. With a score of 29-5, the Sailors scored free-throws and Waite found the basket for another two points.
Nishi opened up the scoring in the second quarter with a three-pointer, and senior Dasani Pham scored a three of her own. Freshman Kaylie Sasaki drove to the basket for a layup, but the Sailors rebounded and scored a put-back shot.
The rest of the quarter would be back and forth between the Barons and Sailors. While the Sailors converted jumpers and layups, drives by junior Helen William and Hsieh along with an assist from Tran to Sasaki under the basket. With a mid-range buzzer beater, the Sailors closed the score to 43-17 at the half.
In the third quarter, Waite rebounded and wrestled past the Sailors to draw a foul, converting the two free-throws. However, the Sailors stalled the Barons, with their firm defense and high pressure forcing Baron turnovers.
The Sailors ignited on a nine-point run, driving to the basket several times and drawing fouls to score key points under the basket. Meanwhile, the Barons struggled to finish shots despite having the opportunities.
“Offensively, everyone on our team was very aggressive. We shared the ball very well. Knowing Kailey [Nishi] was hitting her three-pointers, all the girls did a really good job of trying to find her,” Izabella Om said. “As far as improving, our defense needed a lot of work … Yes, we scored 67 points, but we also allowed the other team to score 42 which is a lot more than I would like.”
Breaking the scoring drought, Nishi converted two three-pointers to extend the Barons’ lead to 51-26. Hsieh assisted Tran for a fastbreak drive to the basket, but Nishi yet again scored two-three pointers with 5:00 minutes remaining in the fourth — securing her record of nine three-pointers in a game.
Attempting another scoring run late in the fourth, the Sailors scored several layups and drives to break through the Barons’ defense. Ultimately, layups from drives by Victoria Om, Pham and William secured the Barons’ 67-42 to close out the game.
“It was a really fun game,” Izabella Om said. “Again, there’s a lot of things we need to work on, but I’m really excited for how the season is going to go.”
The girls’ basketball next Sunset League matchup will be against the Corona del Mar Sea Queens away on Friday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m.
