By Joe Snyder
After finishing third in the highly competitive Marine League behind champion San Pedro and runner-up Carson, Gardena High’s girls’ basketball team, which struggled in the previous few seasons, received a big break by playing in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division IV playoffs where it was top seed.
The Lady Panthers lived up to their expectations as they had little trouble in winning the championship with a 54-12 blowout of South L.A. Fremont in the final last Friday at El Camino College.
Throughout the playoffs, Gardena’s defense has been outstanding, especially as the game went on. Leading 15-8 after the first quarter, the Panthers allowed just four points in the final three periods; two each in the second and third and shutting out the Pathfinders 13-0 in the fourth quarter. Gardena outscored Fremont 39-4 in the final three periods.
“We’re peaking at the right moment,” Gardena head coach Tracey McNeil said. “We just had to play defense. Our offense comes off our defense.”
For the third time in four playoff games, the Panthers shut out their opponents in the fourth quarter. The only time Gardena allowed fourth period points was in its 49-41 semifinal win over Van Nuys Grant on Feb. 17 where it gave up 18 points to the Lancers, who outscored the Panthers 18-8 after Gardena entered the final period with an 18-point (41-23) lead. Grant was the only team to give the Panthers competition in the playoffs. Gardena won its first-round home game over Sun Valley Magnet 51-8 on Feb. 10 and quarterfinal contest over Diego Rivera 65-9 on Feb. 14.
Against the Pathfinders, Gardena (15-9 overall after going 6-4 in Marine League play) was led by Lauren Tobia-Williams with 12 points, six rebounds and four steals. India Session added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sanafova Hubbard chipped in 10 points. Samiaya Keyea hauled down eight rebounds.
“I’m appreciated with my team,” Tobia-Williams said. “Our hard work paid off. We’re looking forward to state (state playoffs). I’m happy.”
The Lady Panthers will be heavily tested in the CIF-Southern California Regional Division V playoffs as they began last Tuesday at La Mirada High, the CIF-Southern Section Division VAA semifinalist. La Mirada lost in the semis to Colton 43-42. Colton fell in the final to Adelanto 64-35. La Mirada finished second in the Gateway League to Lynwood. Gardena is seeded ninth in the playoffs, while La Mirada is eighth.
“We need to be a lot more aggressive in the state playoffs,” Tobia-Williams said. “If we keep going the way we’re playing, we can make it all the way.”
If Gardena defeats La Mirada, it will either visit top seeded Montgomery in San Diego or host No. 16 Temecula Prep today at 7 p.m.
The Panthers are also in the playoff bracket with Marine League foe Wilmington Banning, which won the L.A. City Section Division III title on Saturday. The Pilots are seeded seventh as they hosted St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy from Downey last Tuesday. If Banning wins, it could visit No. 2 seed Savanna, also from the CIF-San Diego Section, today at 7 p.m.
The semifinals are Saturday and the finals are next Tuesday. The CIF-State championship is on March 8 or 9 at the Golden One Arena in Sacramento.
Carson pulls off OT thriller to win City Div. III boys’ title
Carson High’s boys’ basketball team captured the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division III championship with a thrilling 62-60 overtime victory over L.A. Jordan High from the L.A.-Watts District last Friday at El Camino College.
The game was close and mostly a see-saw battle as the Bulldogs grabbed a 13-11 lead after the first quarter but the Colts took a 25-23 halftime lead. Carson led 37-33 after three periods but both teams were locked in a 55-55 tie after regulation.
The Colts were able to outscore Jordan 7-5 in the overtime period, taking advantage of the Bulldogs’ top player and scorer, Trevon Jones, fouling out with 1:44 left. Jones led all scorers with 34 points for Jordan.
Carson, which finished fourth behind champion Gardena and co-runner-ups San Pedro and Long Beach Rancho Dominguez Prep in the Marine League, had an outstanding game from guard Jacob Ortega with 22 points, including two three-point baskets. Ezekial Harry added 17 points. Justin Cooper chipped in 12 points.
The Colts are playing in the CIF-Southern California Regional Division V playoffs as the No. 10 seed last Tuesday. Carson played at No. 7 Buckley from North Hollywood, which lost to CIF-Southern Section Division VAA finalist El Segundo 74-41 on Feb. 16. The Eagles were defeated in the finals by Castaic 63-52 last Friday at Azusa-Pacific University. If the Colts defeat Buckley, they will either visit No. 2 seed Mt. Miguel High from the CIF-San Diego Section or host No. 15 New Designs University, the CIF-L.A. City Division V champion, in the quarterfinals today at 7 p.m.
San Pedro, meanwhile, fell in the CIF-L.A. City Division I championship game to Washington 64-56 in overtime, Friday at ECC.
The Pirates, though, are the top seed in the Southern California Regional Division V playoffs opening at home at Notre Dame High from Riverside last Tuesday.
Torrance High’s girls’ basketball team, meanwhile, made the CIF-Southern Section Division IIIA A finals where it fell to Oak Park 64-51 last Friday at Azusa-Pacific University.
The Lady Tartars, who finished third behind champion North Torrance and second place West Torrance, in the Pioneer League opened the CIF-Southern California Regional Division III playoffs as the No. 11 seed as it visited No. 6 Rancho Bernardo, the CIF-San Diego Section Division III champion, last Tuesday. If the Tartars win, they will either visit No. 3 Palisades or host No. 14 Palos Verdes, the CIF-Southern Section Division IVA champion, today at 7 p.m. The Dolphins are the CIF-L.A. City Section Division I champion. The semifinals are on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the finals are on March 5. The CIF-State Championships are on March 8 or 9 at the Golden One Arena in Sacramento.
Prep Baseball Roundup
Serra unbeaten; routs Banning
Serra High’s baseball team improved to 3-0 after an 8-1 El Segundo Tournament win over Banning High from Wilmington last Thursday at Serra.
The Cavaliers were led by junior Marc Emmerman who went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in. Seniors Kelvin Martinez, Harry Sorman and Jalen Ultenburger each had one hit and scored one run. Senior Finley Jones scored two runs.
The Cavaliers began the highly competitive Del Rey League against another unbeaten team in Pasadena La Salle (6-0) at Arcadia Regional Park last Tuesday. Serra hosts always powerful La Puente Bishop Amat on Friday before visiting Del Rey newcomer and South Bay rival Bishop Montgomery in Torrance next Tuesday. Both games start at 3 p.m.
North Torrance is 2-5 after winning one of three games last week. The Saxons lost an eight-inning 4-3 battle to host Mayfair last Thursday in Lakewood. In El Segundo Tournament play last Friday, the Saxons edged host Venice 3-2. Last Saturday in another El Segundo Tournament game, North lost its third straight game to host Culver City 5-1.
In the Saxons’ win over the Gondoliers, Colin Anderson went 2-for-3. Isaiah Aguilar and Justin Olivar each drove in one run. Winning pitcher Olivar pitched five innings, giving up two earned runs, seven hits, and striking out six batters.
Against Mayfair, Malachi Garcia went 2-for-3 with one run batted in and a run scored. Anderson was 3-for-4 with one run and a double. Freshman Eric Yamashiro went 2-for-3 and drove in a run.
Aguilar drove in the Saxons’ only run on a hit in their loss to the Centaurs.
North hosted Bay League power Palos Verdes in an El Segundo Tournament game last Tuesday. The Saxons resume the tournament through Saturday before opening the Pioneer League at home against El Segundo next Wednesday at 3 p.m.
Gardena picked up its first win of the season by shutting out Santee High from Downtown Los Angeles 10-0 on Feb. 21 at Gardena.
Winning pitcher Anthony Garcia pitched four hitless innings, striking out nine batters and walking two. Bradley Esquivel pitched two innings allowing two hits. Garcia also went 2-for-3 with two runs and a double. Nathan Guzman was 4-for-4 with two runs and two doubles. Junior Adrian Herrera went 2-for-3 with three RBI’s.
Gardena hosted Fremont last Monday. The Panthers remain at home for non-league games against King-Drew Medical Magnet today at 3 p.m. and Inglewood Morningside next Wednesday at the same time.
