Hart Misses Injured Player in 54-21 Loss in Girls’ Tournament

Sarah Wilson, a 6-foot, 3-inch junior center on the Hart High girls’ basketball team, had dominated the boards for the Indians in the Bell-Jeff tournament, especially in a second-round loss to Palos Verdes on Sunday.

“She had 17 rebounds against P. V.,” Coach Pam Walker said. “She was all over the place.”

Unfortunately for Hart, Wilson remained in one place Wednesday--the end of the bench. Wilson injured her knee during the Palos Verdes game and couldn’t play in Hart’s 54-21 loss to Channel Islands in a seventh-place quarterfinal game at Bell-Jeff High.

The defeat eliminated Hart from the week-long tournament.

“I’m not upset that we lost,” Walker said. “But this team has to realize that it is more than one player.”

The Indians, who are certain to be ranked among the best teams in the area next season, looked like they were missing more than Wilson against Channel Islands. In addition to Wilson, the Indians boast three players with three varsity letters each.

But Channel Islands took a 17-6 lead in the first quarter, increased it to 26-11 by halftime and led, 43-15, after three quarters.

“We are much better athletes and a much better team than we showed,” Walker said.

Hart, which committed 13 turnovers in the first half, controlled the ball better in the second half and had numerous open shots under the basket in the third quarter, but missed the layups that could have cut the deficit.

“If your shots outside aren’t falling, it’s OK because you can go inside,” Walker said. “But when you miss your shots inside, it puts a lot of pressure on your outside shooting.”

And the outside shots didn’t fall. With Wilson out, Walker had to station 6-0 senior guard Kim Posey in the post. Posey, a backup center as a sophomore and an All-Foothill League forward last year, handled herself well under the basket. But when Walker also asked her to bring the ball upcourt against Channel Islands’ trapping press, Posey pooped out.

Guard Desa Percel and forward Nicole Anthony, who along with Posey have won three varsity letters apiece, combined for only six points. Nikki Brodowy, a 5-11 senior forward, led the Indians with eight points.

Alemany, the only Valley-area team left in the championship bracket of the 24-team tournament, plays Katella tonight at 7 in a semifinal game at Bell-Jeff.