Girls’ basketball: Laguna Hills is in trouble early

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The opening quarter was like a nightmare for Laguna Hills, which did little right and trails Oakland Bishop O’Dowd 18-6 in the CIF state Division III final, the third game of the day at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento.

The Hawks fell behind 10-0 and did not score until senior forward Celia Marfone made a pair of free throws at the 3:08 mark. Marfone has scored four points and Maddy Zeiring-Smith has two for Laguna Hills, which looks jittery in its first state final in 15 years.

A steal and layup just before the buzzer by Ariell Bostick gave Bishop O’Dowd a 12-point bulge. The Dragons lost in to Santa Maria St. Joseph in the state finals last season.

There is still plenty of time left, but Laguna Hills must work for higher-percentage shots and limit the opposition’s fast-break chances to get back in the game. The Hawks are settling for far too many jumpers.

-- Steve Galluzzo