Girls’ Division III : There’s No Stopping or Getting Close to Brea

Brea-Olinda High School’s girls basketball team won yet another Southern California Regional Division III playoff game by more than 30 points.

This time around, Brea beat Lemoore, 71-39, to win the Regional championship Saturday at the Sports Arena. It was the Wildcats’ third Regional game this week and the third time they had won by more than 30 points.

Brea (30-2) advanced to the State Division III championship game against San Francisco Mercy next Saturday in Oakland.

Jinelle Williams, a sophomore forward, led Brea to its latest blowout by scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Aimee McDaniel, a sophomore guard, had 18 points and made four of eight three-point shots. And forward Cindy Gunn, the only senior starter, added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Rachel Rossiter scored 15 points for Lemoore (20-8).

“They’ve been killing everyone, and now I know why,” Lemoore Coach Karen Wood said.

Brea started slowly, but behind McDaniel’s outside shooting opened an 18-13 first quarter lead and never let up. McDaniel had 10 points in the first quarter.

Brea extended its lead as Williams and Gunn controlled the inside.

Brea led, 42-30, with three minutes left in the third quarter, but went on a 25-0 run to end any hopes Lemoore had of mounting a comeback.

Lemoore has been without 6-foot-2 center Ginger Thayer, who had knee surgery at midseason, and had no one to contend with either of Brea’s inside players.

In seven postseason games, including the Southern Section 3-A playoffs, the Brea girls have been challenged just once. Lakewood St. Joseph came within seven points of Brea in the 3-A semifinals. But every other game, including a 29-point win over Atascadero in the 3-A title game, has been a rout.

Brea is undefeated against California schools this season. Its only loses came in the Christ the King tournament in December. The Wildcats take a 21-game winning streak into the State title game.