Seven-minute field goal drought does no harm to Poly’s lead

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Long Beach Poly pulled the parachute release in the third quarter, going the first seven minutes without a field goal in the girls’ Division I state final, then scoring three in the last minute. That allowed the Jackrabbits to maintain their big lead over Berkeley, taking a 43-22 advantage into the final quarter at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

Long Beach Poly star Jasmine Dixon tweaked an ankle early in the third quarter and was replaced by Thaddesia Southall. Dixon, who had 23 points and 11 rebounds in this game last year, checked back in about 2 1/2 minutes later, made one of two free throws, converted a three-point play with just over a minute remaining and then assisted on Southall’s layup to push Poly’s lead back to 19 points. Dixon now has 10 points. April Cook still leads the Jackrabbits with 12.

Berkeley guard Jazmine Perkins returned to the floor in the third quarter with three fouls, played hard but then tweaked her ankle as time expired. Perkins, who has signed with Washington State, has only five points.

--Dan Arritt