Gauchos looking more and more like a juggernaut

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For a program that’s undergone three coaching changes over the last three seasons, I’d say Narbonne’s girls’ basketball team is coping pretty well.

Ranked fourth in the Southland by The Times, the Gauchos carry a 12-game winning streak into tonight’s Marine League contest against San Pedro. New Coach Victoria Sanders credits much of her team’s success to its improved defense, which holds opponents to 42 points a game.

Last week, Narbonne (20-3) ran roughshod through league rivals Carson and King-Drew by a combined socre of 155-65. So don’t expect San Pedro to offer much resistance, given that the Pirates were embarrassed, 78-24, on their home floor in the teams’ first meeting.

The ‘fearsome foursome’ of Reiko Thomas (14.5 ppg), Gabrielle Clark (10.6), C. Danielle LeNoir (10.0) and Tipesa Moorer (9.5) have Narbonne playing on par with Gaucho squads of the past -- lofty praise for a program that’s won five City Section titles and two state crowns since 2000. No one can accuse this edition of a soft schedule, either. It’s already beaten three teams ranked in The Times’ top 25 -- No. 6 Brea Olinda, No. 8 Mira Costa and No. 9 Redondo.

Can these Gauchos get through league unscathed? A potential bump in the road is Feb. 6 at Washington (18-5), which reached the section finals last season and played Narbonne tough throughout a 60-52 loss on Jan. 18 in Harbor City.

While we’re on the subject, any of you ever wonder exactly what a gaucho is? You’re not alone.... Click here to find out.

-- Steve Galluzzo

-- Image from www.clipart.com