Girls’ Basketball : Kennedy Beats El Camino Real; Streak Hits 95

There were rumblings this week that the long-running, Valley 4-A League win streak of the Kennedy High girls’ basketball team would be snapped Friday night at El Camino Real High.

Kennedy dispelled any such notions as the Cougars recorded their 95th consecutive league victory with a hard-fought, 64-54 triumph.

Senior guard Tisa Rush scored a game-high and a season-best 32 points as Kennedy improved to 9-6 overall, 5-0 in league play.

“All of the talk about the streak ending has made us more inspired. Coach Holiday told us just to have heart and go out and play Cougar basketball,” Rush said of the encouragement given by Coach Toya Holiday.

El Camino Real (4-1, 9-4), pressed and fought Kennedy from the opening whistle to take a 33-30 halftime lead.

The Conquistadores maintained a three-point lead throughout the third quarter, but Rush sank a three-point shot at the buzzer, bringing Kennedy to within one, 44-43.

Four El Camino Real starters fouled out, including leading scorer Kerrie Marshall, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Kennedy took the lead for good with 5:55 left when starting forward Dawn Coleman’s three-foot jump shot--her first points of the game--gave the Cougars a 47-46 lead.

Holiday, the first-year Kennedy coach who has been part of the ongoing 10-year streak as both player and coach, does not like to dwell on the streak.

“I just want them to play good ball,” she said. “If they play good ball and they lose and the streak ends, I’ll still be happy if they played well.”

El Camino Real Coach Neils Ludlow was dejected over the defeat and the loss of his starters to fouls.

“I don’t want to sound any sour grapes,” he said. “We played hard, but it’s hard to win when you lose four players. We’ve got another chance with them later in the season.”

North Hollywood 67, Canoga Park 39--Michelle Cabaldon scored a game-high 24 points to lead host North Hollywood. The Huskies are in second place behind Reseda after the first round of West Valley League play.

Sandrine Rocher scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Nikki O’Neal added 10 points for the Huskies (10-3, 4-1). Stephanie Delange led Canoga Park with 18 points.

North Hollywood pulled ahead, 30-19, at halftime and outscored the Hunters, 37-20, in the second half of the lopsided game. Canoga Park dropped to 5-4, 3-2 in league play.

The Huskies play at Reseda in a showdown for first place Wednesday night.

Cleveland 55, Granada Hills 34--Dawn Stewart scored 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers to a Valley League victory at Cleveland.

Cleveland (5-6, 2-3) outscored Granada Hills, 8-0, in the third quarter.

Monroe 41, San Fernando 38--Annette Robinson scored 13 points and Charlie Cutler chipped in 12 as the Vikings (7-5, 5-0) moved into first place in the Pac 6 League.