Prep Basketball GIRLS : Louisville Wins With Cruz Control

With the score tied and time running out, Marianella Cruz of Louisville High got the ball beyond the foul circle. She made a little feint to elude Alemany guard Ilene Hauser, and with four seconds left, put in a soft, one-hand, 18-footer that gave Louisville a 57-55 victory over Alemany Thursday night.

The win gave Lousville the San Fernando League title this season after sharing it with Alemany for the last two years. It also was the fourth win over Alemany this season, three of them by a total of six points.

Lousville finished the regular season at 20-4, 13-1 in the league. Alemany ended at 16-7, 12-2 in the league. Both teams are headed for the Southern Sections playoffs and could meet again.

“It was a clutch situation. I knew we had to put up the shot. It was a great feeling,” said Cruz, a 5-9 junior. “I knew they would come back.”

Alemany, which rallied from a 16-point deficit in the teams’ first league meeting this season before losing by a point, did it again.

The Indian Maidens trailed by 10 points in the fourth period. But they scored seven unanswered points in the last two minutes to force a 55-55 tie with 21 seconds left. It was the only time during the game that the score was tied.

After Cruz made her crucial shot, Alemany still had a chance with four seconds left. Alemany Coach Nancy Graziano charted a final play during two timeouts, one by each team.

“We wanted Ilene or Jenny Beubis to take the shot. I would have wanted Ilene to get set a bit before the shot,” Graziano said.

Hauser got the ball near midcourt and managed to drive to just inside the foul line. Rushing, her shot hit the front of the rim and bounced away, ending Alemany’s 14-year reign as league champions or co-champions.

Cruz finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.

“I put her down low to take advantage of her height,” Lousville Coach Brian O’Hara said. “She made only 6 of 15 for the night but she hit the one that counted at the end.”

Hauser scored 22 points in leading Alemany. Twice she scored on three-point plays to keep Alemany close. Her teammate, Beubis, had to earn eight points. She took only one shot from outside thanks to a stellar defensive job by Louisville’s Tina Kohler.

“I think she could even shut me down,” said O’Hara of the 5-5 Kohler.

Lousville went ahead early and quickly, leading 15-4 in the first period. Hauser led a comeback in the second period when she scored nine points which pulled Alemany within three at the half, 28-25.

Louisville took what seemed to be a commanding 10-point lead, 49-39, with 5:41 left when Lynn Flanagan stole the ball and drove for a basket. But Alemany began to whittle away.

Although Louisville had a height advantage with 6-1 sophomore Andrea Knapp and Cruz, Alemany managed to box out for key rebounds. Still, Knapp finished with 22 points.

Alemany trailed, 55-48, with 1:53 left. But some quick work pulled Alemany within two, 55-53.

Hauser made two free throws and added another after Jennifer Kroll got a steal for the Indian Maidens. Beubis battled for another defensive rebound and Kroll hit a short shot from the side. A few moments later, Kathie Desautels scored from underneath to tie the game for Alemany with 21 seconds left.

O’Hara set up a play during a timeout but it didn’t work according to plan.

“I set up something else. I wanted Marianella (Cruz) under the boards but she had to come out for the ball.”

When she did, Cruz made the most of it.