GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Santana’s Thompson, Weimann Combine for 50 Points

By design, Santana point guard Desiree Weimann played out of position for much of the Sultans’ 60-44 victory Tuesday over the University of San Diego High School in the Division III semifinals at West Hills High.

Weimann, who is at her best with the ball, played a wing for much of the first half. But only after she returned to the point did the Sultans’ offense take off.

“We were trying to get her open for more shots,” Santana forward Stephanie Thompson said. “We wanted to try something different.”

Thompson and Weimann combined for 50 of the Sultans’ 60 points.

Santana (21-5) will play Kearny on Friday at Golden Hall.

But by the end of the first quarter, Weimann had barely touched the ball. She was scoreless, and her team trailed, 13-10. Only Thompson, who scored all 10 of Santana’s first-quarter points, seemed to benefit from the experiment.

But midway through the second quarter, Weimann returned to the point and good things began to happen. She scored eight of Santana’s 11 points as the Sultans took the halftime lead, 21-19.

Although she scored just three points in the third quarter, Weimann’s passing led to several easy layups for Thompson and Erin Pope. By the close of the third quarter, Santana led, 40-29.