GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

Other Division III:

Kearny 38, Rancho Bernardo 30--Kearny raced out to an 18-point lead then its youth and its opponent, Rancho Bernardo, nearly caught up. But the Komets (21-7), who started four sophomores and a junior, held on to defeat the Broncos (18-6) and advance to Friday’s Division III section final at Golden Hall.

Kearny humbled the Broncos with some tough half-court defense and a quick offense that got most of its points off fast-break layups. The Komets were led by sophomore twins Shelli and Melissa Krause. Shelli finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven steals. Melissa had a game-high 14 points. But Kearny’s biggest contribution may have come from another sophomore, point guard Michele Haines, who missed most of the season with a broken finger but sparked the Komets with eight points, six assists and some key free throws at the end.

Kearny led, 19-7, at halftime and 29-11 midway through the third quarter. But Rancho Bernardo opened the fourth quarter with a 13-3 run. Its best shooter, sophomore Robin Blalock (eight points), started it with three short jumpers to make it 32-23. The run reduced Kearny’s lead from 18 in the third quarter to five in the fourth.

But turnovers and fouls did in the Broncos. Haines sealed the victory for Kearny when she sank three of four free-throws in the final 40 seconds.