MISSION VIEJO — It has been a three-horse race for the Sea View League girls basketball championship this season, and Trabuco Hills took a big step closer to the title Thursday with a 60-57 win over Tesoro at home.

Trabuco Hills (18-4 overall, 4-1 league), El Toro and Tesoro entered Thursday tied atop the league standings. After Thursday, only Trabuco Hills and El Toro remain at the top with one game against each other remaining.

The Mustangs beat Tesoro (13-12, 3-2) twice this season, but lost to El Toro in its first matchup. Trabuco Hills and El Toro play again in the regular-season finale on Jan. 31, which might decide the league championship.

“This is a big win,” Trabuco Hills coach Calvin Mackey said. “We just need to keep taking care of business and hopefully win out.”

Tesoro isn’t out of contention for the league championship. The Titans beat El Toro 55-43 in their first meeting on Jan. 13 and have dominant wins over the other two teams in the league.

Trabuco Hills’ defense was crucial in helping the Mustangs withstand a fourth-quarter rally by Tesoro. The Mustangs forced 13 turnovers in the second half, including one on the game’s final possession when Tesoro could have tied the game with a 3-pointer.

The Mustangs’ full-court press was more effective in the second half and made Tesoro struggle to get the ball up the court.

“We tried to press the whole game, we just had to pull it off because we got beat a few times,” Mackey said. “That’s our mindset. We want to pressure the whole game when we can.”

Elizabeth Tapper led Trabuco Hills with 28 points, 26 of which came after the first quarter. Tapper had 18 points in the paint and made seven free throws.

Elizabeth Tapper had 28 points for Trabuco Hills in its 60-57 win over Tesoro Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Photo by Michael Huntley)

“Her growth between last year and this year is tremendous,” Mackey said of Tapper. “Last year she averaged 10 points per game and this year she has nearly doubled that. It’s beautiful to see her get comfortable and get in her groove. She’s a special player.”

Madeline Hales had 9 points for Trabuco Hills in the first half but had four fouls entering halftime. Hales played most of the second half with those fouls and dished out five key assists.

“She’s our sparkplug,” Mackey said. “To have her in there was big, we definitely feed off of her. She played it smart and really helped us out.”

Trabuco Hills led 11-4 at the end of the first quarter but the Titans went on a 17-2 run which prompted Mackey to call a timeout. The Mustangs responded with a 9-0 run of its own to enter halftime tied at 27.

Tapper scored six quick points to open up the second half and a 3-pointer by Adi Fujimoto gave Trabuco Hills a 40-31 lead when Tesoro called a timeout midway through the third quarter.

Tesoro got the game within two points in the final two minutes of the game, but baskets by Tapper and Hales helped Trabuco Hills hold onto its lead.

Sammie Burkett led Tesoro with 16 points and made four 3-pointers. Caitlyn Tse had 12 points for the Titans and Charlotte Marvin had 12 rebounds with a pair of blocks.

Fujimoto had 10 points for the Mustangs. Sam Rynders had nine rebounds and made a late free throw to force Tesoro to attempt a 3-pointer on its final possession.

Trabuco Hills will play Mission Viejo on the road Tuesday. The Mustangs beat Mission Viejo by 40 points in the first game between the two teams.

Tesoro, which won the CIF-SS Division 4AA championship last season, will play Capistrano Valley on the road  Tuesday. The Titans beat Capo Valley 59-15 in their first matchup.

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