Alisal-Notre Dame hoops

 If it's tough to beat a team twice in the same season, how about three times?
 The Spirits -- who host Alisal tonight in a battle for supremacy in the Pacific Division -- have wins by eight and nine points over the Trojans this year.
 One win came at a neutral site, the other at Alisal.
 Why is that of importance?
 Because Notre Dame has not lost a home game all season in building a slight one-game lead in the Pacific Division over Alisal and North County.
 Alisal, who has had two brief stops at the top of the Pacific this winter, is 4-0 on the road this year in the Pacific.
 Yet, it can't continue to have one horrific quarter against Notre Dame.
 In the teams two meetings this year, the Spirits have outscored Alisal 15-6 and 14-6 in the second quarters, ultimately the difference in both outcomes.
 While Notre Dame has relied on Marisa Given and Sarah Muzik for offensive production most of the season, Sarah Nino is coming off back-to-back double-doubles.
 Natosha Castro has carried the Trojans offense on her shoulders this year, with help from Mariam Ongy and Lydia Garcia.
 Defense, though, dictates the tempo for both teams.