Girls basketball: Three is Poly’s magic number
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Coach Carl Buggs and his players have been been down this road before. Long Beach Poly is playing in its third consecutive Division I state title game against Berkeley, but this year’s opponent -- though wearing the same uniform -- will be different. A couple of transfers have ensured that, making the Yellowjackets an athletic squad that can be big and efficient from the perimeter.
Currently No. 2 in the state rankings by CalHiSports.com, Poly is favored to become the second three-time defending champion, the first since Point Loma from 1985-87. Berkeley is ranked No. 15.
Between forwards Jasmine Dixon and junior Monique Oliver, Poly has the goods inside.
‘We just have to play solid,’ Buggs said of his squad. ‘It would be nice to get some outside shooting for a change.’
Kelli Thompson has hit some big three-point baskets in her career, notably in last year’s section championship against Brea, but she has been in a slump. The Jackrabbits as a whole have not shot well from the perimeter, making them susceptible to a team with a good game plan like that of Narbonne’s in the Southern California Regional final. Poly fought from behind and won in overtime, 60-47.
Other candidates who could go deep are Ariya Crook-Williams, Janae Perkins and twins Ashley and Brittany Wilson. But it’s Thompson, who is 19 of 96 from the arc, who would seem the most likely to hit the big shot early that would force Berkeley to loosen up inside, creating elbow room for Dixon and Oliver.
‘This could be a real good time for Kelli to have a good night, she’s normally a playoff dagger,’ Buggs said. ‘If ever there’s a time, this would be a real nice time for her to come out of her shooting slump. We just need three three-pointers to open it up.’
Three threes from anybody in any combination, and the Jackrabbits would probably be as good as gold.
-- Martin Henderson