SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : Girls’ 3-A : Palos Verdes Puts It on the Line for 52-47 Win

You might say Los Altos High School came up a little short against Palos Verdes in the Southern Section girls’ 3-A basketball championship game Friday night at Cal Poly Pomona.

Taking advantage of a size advantage, Palos Verdes broke out to an early lead and held on to win its first Southern Section title, 52-47.

The Palos Verdes front line of 6-foot 4-inch twin sisters Heather and Heidi Burge and 6-foot Anglesey Thomas totaled 35 points as the Sea Kings (25-7) won their 15th straight game.

“You can’t teach height,” Palos Verdes Coach Wendell Yoshida said.

Los Altos (20-4) does not have a player taller than 5-11.

It was the first time in the championship game for both teams. But it did not bother the Sea Kings, who opened up a 13-2 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Conquerors closed to 19-16 on a basket by Staci Louie with 4:55 left in the first half, only to see Palos Verdes go on a 13-3 spurt to take a 32-19 halftime lead.

“I think we came out and the kids were pretty loose,” Yoshida said. “I think what turned the game around for us was when we pressed and they weren’t ready for it.”

After Heather Burge fouled out with 4:37 remaining, Los Altos narrowed its deficit to 50-47 with 22 seconds left on two free throws by Susan Peters.

But Heidi Burge and Susan Wilhite each made free throws to seal the win.

Heidi Burge finished with 16 points, Heather Burge had 15 and Thomas added 10. The trio also helped the Sea Kings hold a 40-21 advantage in rebounds.

Los Altos was led by Peters with 17 points and Susan Sossoev with 11.