GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Brea Makes It a Point to Win in Overtime

Brea-Olinda High School girls’ basketball Coach Mark Trakh said the 1,500 spectators who packed the Wildcats’ gym for a game against Los Angeles Washington Saturday night were worth five extra points to his team.

The undefeated Wildcats, sixth-ranked nationally by USA Today, needed all five plus a mystery point to come from 10 points down and defeat 13th-ranked Washington, 59-56, in overtime.

The mystery point was one that disappeared from Washington’s score at the end of the third quarter. Washington Coach Phil Chase protested, but officials went with the running score. But at game’s end, the point showed up in the indivual scoring totals. Had the error been found, Washington (14-3) would have led by one at the end of regulation.

“Whatever,” Chase said. “If you’re 10 points ahead, you shouldn’t lose anyway.”

The Generals led by 10 at the start of the fourth quarter after Brea made only three of 16 shots in the third quarter to Washington’s eight of 13. Washington’s shifting defenses and man-to-man pressure had the Wildcats out of synch, reluctant to shoot and off target through much of the second half.

“They were a little tentative,” Trakh said. “No one wanted to take control.” Not until 10 seconds remained in regulation. Then, with her team trailing, 54-51, Aimee McDaniel (14 points) scored a three-pointer to send the game into the three-minute overtime that should never have been.

Brea (14-0) made three of eight free throws and got a basket from Tammy Blackburn (14 points) to pull away from a depleted Washington squad. Center Charisse Sampson (15 points) fouled out with 37 seconds remaining and starting guard Detra Lockhart fouled out early in overtime. Washington was called for 22 fouls to Brea-Olinda’s 12, and the Wildcats shot 34 free throws to the Generals’ 13.