SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS 5-AA : It’s a Struggle, but Morningside Beats Lynwood

Overcoming an eight-point halftime deficit and star center Lisa Leslie’s foul trouble, Inglewood Morningside won its third consecutive Southern Section title with a 54-48 victory over Lynwood in the 5-AA championship game Friday night at UC Irvine’s Bren Center.

Leslie finished with 29 points, 23 rebounds and 12 blocks--had 12 fourth-quarter points, including the last four in the final minute.

The high school All-American had six points to help the Monarchs (28-3) to an 11-9 lead after one quarter. But she picked up her second foul 50 seconds into the second quarter and sat out almost five minutes before getting her third foul just before halftime.

Three consecutive baskets by Leslie gave Morningside the lead for good at 47-46 with 2:09 left.

Kim Barfield’s basket brought Lynwood (25-2) to within two points at 50-48 with 1:07 left. But Leslie’s three-point play with 43 seconds left gave the Monarchs a 53-48 lead.