SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : 2-A Girls : Coffey Leads Lompoc to 61-57 Win Over Chino

Senior center Pam Coffey scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Lompoc High School to a 61-57 win over Chino in the Southern Section 2-A girls’ basketball title game Friday at Cerritos College in Norwalk.

The victory gave Lompoc a 26-2 record and its first Southern Section title. It also advanced the Braves to the Southern California Division II regionals Wednesday against an undetermined opponent.

Chino, which finished with a 24-5 record, defeated Lompoc for the 2-A title last season. But Lompoc, with its tall front line of Coffey and twin sisters Marie and Nanette Fontaine leading the way, led during most of the rematch.

“I thought the game would be low scoring,” Lompoc Coach Ben DuPree said. “We had Marie (foul) out. I’m just glad we got the win.”

With guards Stephanie Dykstra and Jeanine Jones supplying most of the offense, Chino came from behind to take a 53-50 lead with 4:30 remaining in the game.

But Lompoc responded by scoring the next seven points, including back-to-back baskets by guard Rosemary Clinton, for a 57-53 lead.

Coffey gave the Braves the lead for good on a five-foot turnaround jumper that made it 59-57 with 56 seconds remaining. Guard Velda Palm added two free throws with four seconds remaining to wrap up the victory.

Coffey’s performance helped the Braves offset the loss of Marie Fontaine, who was in foul trouble most of the game before fouling out with 5:34 remaining.

Marie Fontaine finished with 16 points, and Nanette added 10 as Lompoc’s front-line starters combined for 45 points.

It was the 17th win in a row for the Braves.