HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Girls’ Division V : La Jolla Country Day Wins on Schoepflin Free Throws

It was only fitting that Isabel Schoepflin got the winning free throws in La Jolla Country Day’s 49-47 victory over Calvin Christian in the Division V girls’ basketball championships Thursday at the Sports Arena.

Coach Jack Wigley said no one wanted the victory more than Schoepflin, who had played every minute the past two games.

“She’s got tremendous timing for a sophomore,” Wigley said.

Schoepflin, who started last year as a freshman, was a first-team all-league selection this season.

The Torres (17-5) not only defended their division championship, they also got revenge on the Crusaders (23-2), who had defeated them twice this season.

“I think we won it because we wanted to win it after they beat us twice,” Schoepflin said.

With less than a minute to play, Betsy Wilgenburg made a steal and drove downcourt for a layup to put Calvin Christian ahead, 47-46. Schoepflin was fouled with 35 seconds left and made one of two free throws to tie the score, 47-47. Nine seconds later, Schoepflin was fouled again and this time made both free throws.

Calvin Christian, which led most of the game, had a chance to win but missed two layups in the final 10 seconds. The Crusaders led throughout the first half but the Torres’ Julie Corbo scored at the buzzer to tie the score, 22-22, at halftime. Calvin Christian’s Betsy Wilgenburg scored at the third-quarter buzzer to tie the score again, 34-34. Schoepflin, who had only two points in the first half, led the Torres with 13 points. Nancy Dickerson and Robin Chatman each added 10 points.

The Torres’ goal was to stop Calvin Christian’s 5-9 guard, Wilgenburg, who led her team with 19 points.

“We went more man-to-man and tried to shut Betsy down,” Wigley said. “She’s tough to stop.”