Prep Basketball GIRLS : San Gabriel Barely Escapes Challenge by Burbank, 50-43

For three quarters Tuesday afternoon, the ivory tower of Foothill League girls basketball looked as if it might fall.

But San Gabriel High, ranked fifth in the latest Southern Section 3-A poll, survived a challenge from upstart Burbank to win, 50-43.

Behind guard Christy Calderon’s 13 points, Burbank trailed by one point, 34-33, entering the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs had led several times in the first half of the seesaw battle.

But San Gabriel, which was a Southern Section 3-A finalist last season, averted a letdown with a 12-4 spurt to open the fourth quarter.

All-Southern Section center Cathy Watlet led San Gabriel with 28 points and 13 rebounds.

Burbank center Kris Gilbert, a 6-1 senior, scored 10 points and had six rebounds before fouling out halfway through the last quarter.

The win improved San Gabriel’s record to 13-4 overall and 3-0 in the league. The Bulldogs fell to 10-5 and 1-2.

La Reina 64, Moorpark 18

La Reina High routed Moorpark to improve its record to 4-2 in the Tri-Valley league and 7-8 overall. Moorpark has not won any of its 10 games this season.

Teresa Rensch led the rout with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 7 steals. Allison Dynda contributed 8 points and 6 rebounds.

The Regents were ahead, 16-0, before Moorpark could score in the first period. La Reina went on to a 22-2 first-quarter lead.

W. Simi Christian 35, Grace Community 14

West Simi Christian sophomore Donnell Johnston had 15 points to outscore Grace Community all by herself.

West Simi Christian is now 5-2 for the season.

Freshman Lynette Marble had nine points. Denise Teegen added seven more.

The Eagles went ahead, 12-2, in the first period. They shut out Grace Community, 12-0, in the third period.

Taft 2, Grant 0

Taft High gained a forfeit in a Valley 4-A game that raised Taft’s league mark to 1-3. Grant is still winless after four games.