Girls’ basketball: Millikan takes care of No. 1 -- again
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
It didn’t go down to the wire, but there wasn’t much that was disappointing about No. 5 Millikan’s 61-52 victory Saturday over No. 1 Miller at the Ayala Extravaganza.
It’s the second time in two weeks that Millikan has beaten The Times’ top-ranked Southland team. The Rams previously beat Long Beach Poly in a Moore League game.
A lot of credit goes to Courtney Clements. She went for 29 points and 11 rebounds. She scored 19 as Millikan opened a 35-21 halftime lead.
‘We’re just really focused right now,’ Clements said. ‘We’ve beaten some good teams, but it’s not over until March.’
Miller Coach Mel Wilkins said Millikan could definitely be playing in March, when the state championships are contested.
‘They’re a state championship contender,’ said Wilkins, who wanted this game because Millikan had beaten Poly, and because its post players created matchup problems for the Rebels. ‘They can get it done. I’d seen them at the Redondo tournament, and they’ve gotten better. They are not the same team we saw at Redondo.’
Kalena Tutt also did her part for Millikan. She scored 16 with 10 rebounds and eight blocks.
Brianna Hall led Miller with 19 points and Chloe Wells had 17. Miller pulled to within 41-38 in the third quarter, but Millikan scored 11 of the next 13 points in the game, including six by Clements.
-- Martin Henderson