Capitalizing on turnovers caused by a trapping zone press, the Lady Firebirds built big early leads and posted easy wins in all three of their games last week. Fremont held a 6-3 record, heading into this week's challenging, 16-team Oak Grove Holiday Classic in San Jose, Dec. 12-17.

First-year coach Fred Yepez had to like how Fremont bounced back so convincingly last week, after closing its own event the week before with losses to high-powered Mercy of San Francisco (46-33) and Wilcox (56-27).

They ran away from Oak Grove, 21-1, in the first quarter and sailed to a 61-35 victory on Dec. 6. Three nights later at Andrew Hill, they led by 21 at halftime en route to a 69-40 triumph. Then, the next afternoon against visiting Capuchino of San Bruno, the Firebirds jumped in front, 12-2, in the first quarter and cruised to a 51-26 win.

Junior playmaker Carol Hoang and freshman guard Amy Chwa (14 points) triggered the win over Oak Grove. Hoang scored 19 points, including 7 of 8 foul shooting, and passed out five assists. Hoang, Chwa and senior Marissa Cabana had four steals apiece for the Firebirds, who totaled 18.

Meanwhile, Fremont's two starting post players, senior Marylin Avila (eight rebounds) and junior Alison Bushnell (eight points, seven rebounds), controlled the inside. Junior Kristal Sana came off the bench to score seven points and Cabana nailed a pair of three-pointers for six. Avila added three points, and sophomore Ailyn Burgos and freshman Hannah Wu had two.

Bushnell erupted for 22 points in just three quarters of play against Hill, connecting on an assortment of inside moves after receiving nifty passes from the guards. Hoang scored 14 points, junior forward Menna Araya scored nine and Avila eight.

While Fremont's defense limited Capuchino to just 11 field goals, Bushnell (12) and Hoang (11) were the scoring leaders. Sana and Chwa followed with six points apiece. Avila tossed in five points, Araya four, Cabana three and senior Victoria Cunha and junior Cathy Nguyen two each.

After the Oak Grove tourney, Fremont continues its preparation for play in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League with a home game against Leigh on Dec. 20 and the Dons Club Holiday Tournament at Del Mar, Dec. 27-30.

Homestead girls 3rd

Senior forwards Jennifer Irish and Claudia Lee and junior guard Kate Mower combined for 32 points, leading Homestead past Cupertino in the third-place game of the Homestead Winter Jamboree.

Irish and Lee both tallied 11 points and Mower dropped in 10 for the Mustangs, who evened their record at 3-3 with a 57-38 win over the Pioneers.

After non-league games with San Jose, Los Altos and Branham and the San Diego Surf 'N' Slam Tournament, the Mustangs will begin De Anza Division play on Jan. 3 against visiting Santa Clara.

Red Bluff, a team from the Northern Section, captured the first-place trophy with a 47-44 decision over Lynbrook. The King's Academy (4-3), paced by seniors Lisa Walker (16 points) and Jessica Butelo (nine), won the consolation final, 62-36 over James Lick.

Walker's 16 matched the output of senior Taylor Scott in the Knights' tourney opener, a 51-35 defeat to Lynbrook.