GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Thousand Oaks Overtakes Cerritos, 52-48

The Thousand Oaks High girls’ basketball team got caught in traffic en route to its Southern Section I-A Division semifinal game at Cerritos College on Wednesday night, arriving just 45 minutes before tip-off.

But once the fourth quarter rolled around in its game against Cerritos, Thousand Oaks played in the fast lane, rallying for a 52-48 win that propelled the Lancers (27-3) into the championship game against Buena on Friday night.

“We didn’t get much warm-up and it hurt us in the first quarter,” Thousand Oaks Coach Chuck Brown said. “But in the second half, we did pretty well.”

Once again, it was junior guard Michelle Palmisano who steered the Lancers to victory. Palmisano scored a game-high 26 points and scored her team’s final four points with a minute to play.

After trailing, 13-6, in the first quarter, Thousand Oaks tied the score, 35-35, after three quarters. Michelle Wood made her only basket to give Thousand Oaks a 48-44 lead with two minutes remaining. After Cerritos closed the gap to 48-46, Palmisano hit two free throws with a little more than a minute to play. Palmisano then made a five-foot jump shot with 40 seconds left for the final score.

Morro Bay 51, Chaminade 31--Center Wendy Furlong had 20 points and 15 rebounds for Morro Bay in a IV-AA semifinal game at San Luis Obispo.

The Pirates were in control from the beginning and led at halftime 26-11.