4-AA GIRLS : San Clemente Gets in Foul Trouble, University Rebounds for Victory

For almost three quarters Wednesday, a full-court press and man-to-man defense helped San Clemente High School stay with University despite poor shooting.

Foul trouble took some of the pressure out of San Clemente’s press late in the game, and University took control of the boards to come away with a 43-40 victory in a Southern Section girls’ 4-AA game at University.

University (19-5), which advanced to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year under Coach Doug Sorey, meets Camarillo, a 62-24 winner over Agoura. Camarillo eliminated University in the quarterfinals last year.

University and San Clemente were tied, 31-31, heading into the final quarter but the Trojans out-rebounded San Clemente, 16-4, largely because of reserve Christie Loud. Loud, a 6-foot center who played sparingly Wednesday night, stayed in the game for most of the fourth quarter and gave the Trojans an edge on the boards.

Though she did not score, Loud had seven rebounds and helped University get second and third shots at the basket down the stretch which, along with the offense of Denise Gandara, proved the difference in the game.

“Our pressure hurt them as much as it could, but in the half-court game they just beat us in terms of hitting the boards and outside shooting,” San Clemente Coach Mary Mulligan said.

University struggled against the press, turning the ball over 21 times. San Clemente guard Wendy Stewart supplied much of the pressure with six steals, but the Tritons were unable to capitalize on the offensive end. Stewart was the only Triton in double figures with 10 points. San Clemente made only 16 of 53 shots for 30%. University made 16 of 40 shots for 40%.

Denise Gandara led University in scoring with 21 points. “She attracts a ton of attention from the defense but she goes out and gets her points every time,” Sorey said.

The turning point came late in the third quarter. San Clemente (15-11) had pulled ahead, 31-28, with about a minute to play when Gandara made a three-point basket to tie the score.

“(It) took the wind out of us,” said Mulligan, whose father-in-law, UC Irvine Coach Bill Mulligan, was behind her bench. “We had a three-point lead with a minute and a half to go. If we could have hit a basket, we could have gone up by five going into the fourth quarter. That was a clutch shot.”

Gandara got some unexpected offensive help from guard Kristina Ho who, with her one-handed set shot, hit some key outside baskets to finish with eight points. “She’s one of our captains,” Sorey said. “She is not just a great athlete, but what we call a glue kid . . . she keeps us emotionally ready and keeps us from becoming frazzled.”

In other 4-AA games:

Loara 55, California 34--Tracy Titus had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead host Loara (14-11). Jennifer Leonard had 11 points and 13 rebounds and Kristin Thibodeau had 10 points and six rebounds for Loara, which led, 21-5, at halftime. Rochelle Travers had 12 for California.

Mission Viejo 60, Claremont 25--The Diablos took a 21-4 lead after one quarter and were never challenged. Jennifer Rohrig had 21 points and 19 rebounds for Mission Viejo (19-8) and point guard Carrie Burt had 19 points and nine steals. Claremont ended its season 9-12.

Valencia 66, Garey 28--Hollie Keeton, a senior forward, scored six of her 16 points in the first quarter as the defending champion Tigers rolled to a 13-2 lead and were never challenged. Sig Lo added 11 points and Kim Stumpf 10 for Valencia (15-10). Garey, an at-large entry from Pomona, finished 10-13.

Edison 48, Arlington 47--Talia Crooks made a steal and then made two free throws to give Edison a one-point lead with about 15 seconds remaining as the Chargers held off host Arlington. Edison led, 33-22, at the half but Arlington went on a 13-0 run to open the third quarter and take a two-point lead. Debbie Fischer, who made five three-point baskets and finished with 20 points, gave Edison the lead by making two three-pointers, the Chargers’ only points of the third quarter.