Herz Puts the Hurt on Reseda, 55-51

Debbie Herz scored 20 points and had 18 rebounds to lead the North Hollywood High girls basketball team to a 55-51 win over Reseda Thursday at home.

The Huskies (9-5 overall, 7-1 in league) avenged an earlier 12-point loss to the Regents, and also captured a share of the West Valley League title.

Coach Rich Allen said he blamed himself for the Huskies poor performance at Reseda four weeks ago.

“It was coaching,” Allen said. “We didn’t adjust defensively the first time. This time, we went to a special triangle-and-two defense to pressure their guards. We worked on it for four weeks just for this game.”

North Hollywood needs to defeat Taft or Birmingham in its final two league games to clinch the league title, but Allen said he isn’t too concerned.

“We killed both of those teams earlier in the year,” Allen said.

Reseda Coach Andrea Francola said the improved play of Herz was the difference in the game. “We had a tough time stopping her on the boards,” Francola said. “She’s improved a lot since we played them last.”

Reseda, which led in the first two minutes before falling behind, went ahead, 41-39, when Dana Jones hit a 12-foot jumper with 7:07 left in the fourth quarter. Jones led the Regents with 21 points.

Herz, who was playing with four fouls, scored after an offensive rebound with 3:35 left in the game to put the Huskies back on top, 44-43.

Latrelle Whitmore of North Hollywood stole the ball and threw a long pass to Val Williams, who missed a wide-open layup. Williams fouled the Regent’s Angie Smith while going for the rebound.

Smith made both free throws, but North Hollywood went ahead for good, 46-45, on a basket by Gwen Mickelson with 2:58 left in the game.

Reseda’s record fell to 5-5 overall, 5-3 in league.

RESEDA--Jones 21; Smith 13; Adams 12; Ware 3; Cirrito 2.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD--Herz 20; Whitmore 14; Mickelson 9; Williams 6; Carranza 4; Browning 2.