FREEWAY LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : La Habra’s Switch Helps to Tie Up Another Title

La Habra High School, using a 1-2-2 zone defense for the first time this season, defeated Fullerton, 63-47, for the Freeway League girls’ basketball championship Thursday at La Habra.

The victory gave the Highlanders (20-3, 10-0 in league play) their ninth title in the past 10 seasons and 20 victories for the eighth time since 1980.

“I told my girls to spread out, play wide, and don’t give (Fullerton’s) Lynn Gilbert or Jennifer Comstock the lane,” La Habra Coach John Koehler said.

As a result, Gilbert (four points) picked up four personal fouls in the first half and was benched with 6:21 remaining in the half. She returned with 2:52 left in the third quarter and played for just over a minute before fouling out with four points. Comstock was held to eight points.

“Our team played well and our new defense allowed me to control where the ball went,” said Ana Kristich, who had 11 points, eight rebounds, two blocked shots and three assists. “I was surprised. We played it really well.”

La Habra defeated Fullerton, 58-40, in a first-round game. The Indians (16-6, 8-2) finished as league runner-up.

“Fullerton also took a lot of chances with its trap, and we burned them on it,” Koehler said. “Our big girls (Ana and Zrinka Kristich and Leslie Ferguson) played the fast break well and wore Fullerton down.”

Ferguson led La Habra with 28 points and 16 rebounds.