La Jolla Country Hay Hoopsters Scorce Important Win

The La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) Lady Hoopsters won an unprecedented seventh straight section championship (2001-02 in Div. V and 2003-07 in Div. IV) and 10^th overall when they defeated Francis Parker, 45-38, at USD's Jenny Craig Pavillion on Saturday, March 3.

"At the beginning of the game, we were struggling a little bit in our offensive sets," said Country Day coach Terri Bamford.

The Lady Torreys struggled enough to hold just a slim 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

"Our shots weren't falling," said Bamford.

Which led to LJCD falling behind the Lady Lancers, 17-16, after two three-pointers by 5-foot-7 junior guard Kristina Mouritzen and a basket by 5-6 junior guard Adelle Walton.

"Francis Parker did an excellent job of controlling the tempo," said Bamford. "They hit the big shots when they needed them."

Speaking of big shots, 5-10 sophomore Gizelle Studevent hit one for the Lady Torreys just before halftime to give LJCD an 18-17 advantage heading into the locker room.

"So many things can factor into winning a championship," said Bamford. "If shots aren't falling, anything can happen in a playoff environment."

Fortunately, after the intermission, shots began to fall and the Lady Torreys were able to pad their cushion to 36-28 by the end of the third period.

"Defensively, we came out in the third quarter and got some steals," said Bamford. "That really helped us take control of the game."

LJCD continued to maintain control down the stretch to seal the victory. With the win, the Lady Torreys improved their record to 22-7. With the loss, the Lady Lancers fall to 15-12.

5-10 junior Dominique Conners led LJCD with 13 points, while 5-10 junior Chelsea Burns added eight points and 11 rebounds, and 6-2 junior Jamesha Townsend added seven points of her own. They were followed in the scoring column by Studevent (6), 5-4 freshman Ariana Elegado (6), 6-3 junior Janae Fulcher (4), and 5-4 senior Kiara Stinson (1).

The Lady Torreys also defeated Francis Parker twice-by 62-50 and 56-45 scores-during Coastal South League play.

In other local women's playoff action, the University City (UC) Lady Centurions suffered a tough 83-39 loss to the Grossmont Lady Griffins in the CIF Div. II Quarterfinals at Grossmont on Friday, Feb. 23.

5-foot-4 senior Tianna Coleman led UC with 16 points. She was followed in the scoring column by 5-9 junior Jamie Vermillion (8), 5-7 senior Lia Vyas (4), 5-11 sophomore Delea Pursel (4), 5-10 junior Jolene Walter (3), 5-4 senior Malinda Richard (2), and 5-9 junior Karimah Hicks (2).

The Lady Centurions will lose Coleman, Vyas, and Richard to graduation. But Vermillion, Pursel, Walter, Hicks, 5-foot sophomore Jamila Jordan, 5-5 sophomore Joy Deleon, 5-7 junior Brittany Olivares, 5-7 junior Tifinni Britt, and 5-9 junior Jessica Funk will all return next year to a UC team that improved its overall record to 17-13 this season.