Chaminade edges Long Beach Poly for Open Division girls’ regional title
Leaonna Odom three wins it
As the buzzer sounded and the ball bounced off the rim once, twice and a third time before falling through the net for a game-winning three-pointer that sent West Hills Chaminade on a trip to Sacramento, Eagles Coach Kelli DiMuro sprinted onto the court, heels and all.
Leaonna Odom’s three gave Chaminade a 50-49 victory over Long Beach Poly in the Open Division Southern California Regional girls’ final at the Pyramid in Long Beach on Saturday night.
“I was a little worried at first, but it bounced right in,” DiMuro said. “It’s a tribute to her work ethic and shooting every day.”
Odom, bound for Duke, finished with 19 points and 17 rebounds.
“Once it bounced once, then kept bouncing, I knew it was going in and started jumping up and down,” Odom said.
Da’Jah Jackson had given Poly a 49-47 lead by making a layup with 10.5 seconds left. Chaminade (30-4) called time out and set up a pick and roll for Odom. She fired from the top of the key and got the lucky bounce. Next up for the Eagles is a Saturday 8 p.m. state final in Sacramento against Orinda Miramonte.
Division I
Brea Olinda (28-4) has been one of the top girls’ basketball programs in the state and now the Wildcats get a shot to win a 10th state title.
Reli Richardson made all 17 of her free-throw attempts and finished with 27 points in a 64-55 win over Vista Murrieta. Brea Olinda advances to the 6 p.m. final on Thursday against Sacramento St. Francis at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.
Division II
Kayla Washington scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Cajon past Santa Ana Mater Dei, 51-30. Cajon opened a 20-5 lead after the first quarter.
Cajon will play Sacramento Elk Grove in the 2 p.m. final Saturday.
Division III
Lake Elsinore Lakeside held on for a 35-34 victory over Orange Lutheran at Colony and will play San Francisco Sacred Heart Cathedral at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Division IV
Tylen Price scored 22 points to lead Antelope Valley past La Cañada, 66-51. Antelope Valley will face Santa Rosa Cardinal Newman at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Division V
Sun Valley Village Christian cruised to a 58-33 win over San Luis Obispo Mission Prep behind Micaela Cacho-Negrete, who scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Crusaders will play for a state title Thursday at 10 a.m. against East Palo Alto Eastside College Prep.
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