Savanna Holds Off Valencia, 49-45, and Qualifies for Postseason Play

The Savanna High School girls’ basketball team clinched a third- place playoff spot with a 49-45 victory over Valencia Thursday at Savanna. It is the first time in three years that the Rebels (5-3, 10-12) have qualified for postseason play.

Reserve forward Marlo Ogden scored her only points on both ends of a one-and-one free-throw situation with 25 seconds left to secure the win.

Senior guard Venetta Dorlis scored 22 points on 11-of-18 shooting, and senior guard Nagla Koury added 14 for Savanna. Center Teisha Clark had 13 rebounds and Tammy Burns 11.

Ronette McWeeny was the leading scorer for Valencia (3-5, 12-10) with 14 points.

In other Orange League action:

Magnolia 70, Western 59--Michelle Carter scored 32 points, Dawn Borsum added 18 and Rena Rossoll 17 as the Sentinels defeated the Pioneers to improve to 6-2 in league and 14-7 overall. Melanie Williams led Western (2-12, 2-6) with 25 points and Tammy James had 16.

In Century League action:

Foothill 58, Santa Ana Valley 28--Senior forward Stephanie Fleischaker scored 14 points and junior center Sue Davis added 10 as the Knights defeated the Falcons at Santa Ana Valley. The first-place Knights (12-0, 22-1) have won 21 in a row. Senior forward Tavita Soloi scored 10 points for the Falcons (2-9, 6-9).

In Freeway League action:

Sonora 35, Sunny Hills 28--Senior forward Toni Hayes scored 12 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, and senior center Amy Fellows added 10 points to lead the Raiders past the Lancers at Sonora. Sonora is 3-4 in league and 8-9 overall. Cathern Stedman led Sunny Hills (2-6) with 11 points.

Troy 50, Buena Park 41--Junior center Susan Guest scored 36 points and pulled down 32 rebounds, both career highs, to keep the Warriors in third place. Troy is 4-4 in league and 6-12 overall. Marcy Carr scored 15 points for Buena Park.

La Habra 52, Fullerton 45--Sophomore forward Robin Seabrook scored 18 points, pulled down 15 rebound and passed off 7 assists to lead the Highlanders (8-0, 19-4). Junior Forward Adele Alvarez scored 12 points, had 12 rebounds and 3 steals for La Habra. The Indians (6-2, 15-5) have lost twice in league to La Habra.

In Empire League action:

Loara 48, Kennedy 45-- The Saxons beat the Fighting Irish on late free throws from Erika Reichi and Donna Gugliotta.

Cypress 62, El Dorado 55--Laura Marmitt had 26 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Centurions (6-6, 12-10) over the Golden Hawks at El Dorado. Liz Crosdale added 12 points for the Centurions. Jill Matyuch scored 24 and Cathy Newvine added 16 for El Dorado (7-5, 12-6).

In Olympic League action:

Southern California Christain 52, Orange Luthern 40--Senior Tara Cross scored 37 points to lead the Flames (3-9, 3-11) past Lancers at Luthern. Two Orange Luthern players, Bev Mueller (14 points) and Michaelle Boltz (12 points) scored in double figures. The Lancers (3-9, 7-12) overcame a 15-1 deficit to tie the score, 21-21, before falling behind for good.

In the Angelus League:

Mater Dei 49, St. Joseph’s 30--Debbie Wagner and Janet Rensing each had 14 points as the Monarchs clinched the league title at St. Joseph’s. Kim Ellerman added 10 points for Mater Dei (9-0, 19-7). Katie Brazelton led St. Joseph’s (7-2) with 12 points.

In the Sunset League:

Ocean View 37, Marina 36--Gretchen Bock hit an eight-foot shot with 47 seconds left to lift the Seahawks at home. Dana Douty scored 12 points and pulled down 7 rebounds for Ocean View (4-4, 13-9). Teammate Trina Vlachos added 8 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals. Dawn Charroin led Marina (2-6, 12-10) with 14 points.

Edison 52, Huntington Beach 48--Junior guards Michelle Hennessey and Denise Ogburn each had 14 points as the Chargers (5-3, 18-6) won at home. Tami Chick led the Oilers (3-5, 11-12), who never got closer than four points, with 25.

In South Coast League action

San Clemente 51, Laguna Hills 39--Jenny Anderson scored 11 points and had 10 rebounds and teammate Lynne Kristoffersen added 6 points and 11 rebounds as the Tritons won their first South Coast League game.