Ayala throwing out the welcome mat

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Ever since Ayala senior guard Rebekah Gardner, pictured at left, missed that half-court shot at the buzzer last Wednesday, allowing Long Beach Millikan to escape with a 49-47 semifinal victory at the Magnolia tournament, I’ve lost some confidence in the Bulldogs, ranked No. 4 in the preseason by The Times.

Beginning Wednesday, they’ll try to put on a happy face and play good hosts at their own tournament, which is considered the Best in the West, if you believe its haughty name. I won’t go into details, since Martin Henderson beat me to it, but this tournament does look pretty competitive.

It’ll be interesting to see if the UCLA-bound Gardner can put the Bulldogs on her back and carry them to the championship game.

A little home-cookin’ won’t hurt either.

--Dan Arritt