SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL PREP BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : Girls’ Division V : Avenal’s Quickness Brings Trona Down to Size

Avenal High School, the Central Section girls’ basketball champion, defeated top-seeded Trona, 36-23, Saturday in the Southern California Regional Division V championship game at Cerritos College.

The Buccaneers advanced to next week’s State final.

Avenal (27-3) led Trona throughout as its quickness and sagging 1-3-1 zone defense eliminated the Tornadoes’ height advantage. Trona had four starters taller than 5-foot 6-inches, while the Buccaneers’ height was supplied by the 5-foot 6-inch Franklin twins, Bridget and Becky.

Bridget finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 7 steals and 2 blocked shots, while Becky had 5 points and 8 rebounds, despite fouling out with six minutes left.

Trona, the Southern Section champion, just could not find the basket, shooting 21% from the field and 48% from the line. Sophomore forward Clarissa Moulton led the Tornadoes with eight points. Senior guard Shelly Kennedy had seven.

Avenal, which fell to Woodlake in the Southern California regional final last season, has won nine straight games.