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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL BASKETBALL FINALS : Division III Girls : Ramona Hopes Its Height Can Overshadow Lemoore’s Depth in Another ‘Biggest’ Game

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The Ramona High School girls’ basketball team will play the biggest game in school history this morning when the Bulldogs (19-7) face Lemoore (20-8) in the Southern California Regional Division III final at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Of course, it’s the third time in eight days that Ramona has played the biggest game in school history. And in two straight contests, Coach Joe Bess’ Bulldogs have been equal to the challenge.

Before this season, the Ramona girls’ team never advanced beyond the San Diego Section semifinals. But a week ago Friday, Ramona defeated Lincoln, 41-23, in the San Diego Section Division III championship. And on Wednesday, the Bulldogs held off Bakersfield Highland, 54-38, in the regional semifinals.

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“Ramona and Lemoore should match up very, very well,” said Highland Coach Dale Barker, whose team also lost to Lemoore, 57-39, a week ago. “Lemoore is not quite as big, but they’re quicker and have more depth. But they don’t have anybody who matches up with No. 24.”

No. 24 is 6-foot junior Meleea Van Patton, who, along with Kris Miller, also a 6-foot junior, leads Ramona in scoring. Van Patton scored 23 points and grabbed 9 rebounds Wednesday against Highland, and Miller had 7 rebounds but was held to 8 points.

Ramona’s other three starters are point guard Gina Tamburrino, a good outside shooter who had 14 points Wednesday; guard Tina Brooklyn, and 6-1 forward Kendra Brunje.

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“I think the kids are ready to go,” Bess said. “They feel confident they can win the game if they play well. It’s going to have to be a total team effort. We need scoring from all five starters.”

It’s imperative that Ramona’s starters score because the Bulldogs don’t have a very strong bench. Basically, Bess uses seven players: the five starters, guard Elizabeth Cobian and forward Rayna Chaney. Against Highland, Cobian was the first Ramona substitute to enter the game, and she didn’t do so until 3:53 remained in the game.

“We’re a much bigger team, and we hope to dominate the boards,” Bess said. “It will be their pressing game and transition against our inside game. We’ll try to get them into a half-court game and play defense.”

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The Bulldogs have three starters 6 foot or taller, but Lemoore’s tallest player is 5-11 forward Ginger Thayer. Still, Lemoore was able to handle a much taller Lincoln club, 54-37, in Thursday’s semifinals.

“We’re small, so we compensate by hustling a lot,” Lemoore Coach Karen Wood said. “Lincoln was huge. When I saw them come into the gym, I about had a heart attack. But we outhustled them.”

The defensive spark plug is 5-3 guard Jill Silveira, who leads the team with 60 steals. She had four against Lincoln.

Lemoore, a school located outside Fresno, has a strong bench. All 12 players on the team have played in every game this season. The Tigers are so balanced that they have just one player, 5-9 forward Rachel Rossiter, who averages in double figures (11 points). As a team, Lemoore averages 48.3 points a game and allows 37. “I probably get half of my scoring from the bench,” Wood said.

Both schools have played tough schedules. Ramona was third in the Avocado League, and Lemoore was third in the West Yosemite League, which is filled predominantly with Division I schools.

“We’re pretty loose,” Bess said. “We haven’t had any close games in the playoffs, but we’ve won most of our close games this year. We’re in a tough league, and I think that’s made us a better team.”

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