Van Nuys Girls Falter in Second Half, 65-49

The Van Nuys High girls’ basketball team has been one of the big surprises of the City Section this season, and the Wolves almost surprised themselves Friday.

Playing before 2,000 spectators at the Sports Arena, the underdog Wolves found themselves in contention in the 4-A Division championship game early in the second half. Highly regarded Washington led by only one point in the third period with its star player--senior guard Detra Lockhart--out of the game with an ankle injury incurred in the second quarter.

But Washington unleashed its potent running game in the final period on its way to a 65-49 victory.

It was the second consecutive title for the top-seeded Generals (27-3), who clinched a berth in next week’s Southern California regional. Van Nuys (22-4) has an outside chance to receive an at-large berth when the pairings are announced Sunday.

“I’m not surprised Van Nuys was that close to us,” Washington Coach Phil Chase said. “When you lose your best player, you expect to have some problems. Luckily, I have seven or eight other girls that I can call on. They were able to get untracked and start playing our game in the second half.”

Van Nuys guards Feltina Means (13 points) and Houng Thai combined for three layups to pull the Wolves within 33-32 with six minutes left in the third period.

That’s when things began falling apart for Van Nuys. Washington guard Remitha Houston took charge, breaking loose for 20 second-half points en route to a game-high 22.

Washington took a 52-38 lead heading into the final period.

“We knew we were good enough to stay up with them,” said Van Nuys forward Stacie Toon, who finished with eight points and 15 rebounds. “We just lost our intensity down the stretch. We fell apart by not getting back on defense fast enough.

“We weren’t intimidated by them. We felt we had a good chance to win. This is very disappointing. I’m a senior and this was my last chance to win a City title.”