GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : THOUSAND OAKS TOURNAMENT : Jones, Lancers Crunch Chino to Reach Final

The sweat was barely dry on her face after Thousand Oaks High breezed to a semifinal victory in the Lancers’ own girls’ basketball tournament Friday night, but Marion Jones already had set her sights on tonight’s championship game against Lynwood.

The Lancers easily dispatched Chino, winning, 65-51, behind Jones’ game-high 24 points and 19 from Michelle Palmisano. The Lancers (9-1) advance to the 7 p.m. final against Lynwood, a 61-36 winner over Westlake in Friday’s other semifinal.

Jones said Lynwood (9-0) will face a more aggressive style of play against Thousand Oaks than it did in beating Westlake.

“We’re going to try to go out and take it right to them,” she said.

Jones, a 5-foot-11 junior forward, showed her skills both inside and on the perimeter as she pierced the Chino defense. The Lancers led by eight points, 21-13, after one quarter. But Jones took control in the second period, scoring 11 of her 20 first-half points, as Thousand Oaks outscored Chino, 24-11, to race to a 45-24 halftime edge.

Amee Pina scored 14 to spark Chino and Francine Moreno added 10. But it took a 16-4 run in the fourth period to allow the Cowgirls (7-4) to make the final score respectable.

In other games:

Lynwood 61, Westlake 36--Senior center Janet Davis (6-foot-4) scored 17 points and senior guard Tasha Barnett added 14 as Lynwood cruised past Westlake (8-2).

Lynwood’s pressing, aggressive defense forced 25 turnovers and resulted in a poor shooting night for Westlake. The Warriors shot 35.8%, making 14 of 39. Davis also blocked six shots.

Although Lynwood is facing a championship match tonight, Knight Coach Maurice Roberson already has other goals in mind.

“Whoever wins the Southern Section title has to beat us,” he said.

Roberson’s confidence seems well-founded. The Knights seemed to be experimenting with personnel and different offensive and defensive sets as much as worrying about Westlake.

A three-point basket at the buzzer by Westlake’s Marlee Organ cut Lynwood’s lead to 14-10 after one period, but the Knights took advantage of six Westlake turnovers to go ahead, 28-17, before the half.

Davis and Barnett combined for eight of the first 10 points of the third quarter and the rout was on.

Lauren Goldstine, Westlake’s outstanding 6-foot senior, scored 20 points to go with nine rebounds and four blocked shots. Westlake faces Chino for third place at 5 p.m.

Burroughs-Ridgecrest 50, Hart 44--Mandy Cordell scored 22 points to guide the Burros to a consolation win. Burroughs used a 16-7 advantage in the third quarter to take control.

Shannon Martin led Hart with 10 points.

Rio Mesa 60, Santa Paula 44--Erin Farney scored 20 points and the Spartans took the lead with a 20-12 second-quarter burst in consolation play.

Tara Sanders finished with 18 points and Vanessa Nichols added 15 for Santa Paula.

Cabrillo 51, Hueneme 46--The Vikings made a strong second-half run but couldn’t overcome a 22-7 halftime deficit.

Hueneme’s Gina Sosa led all scorers with 17 points and teammate Tina Alvarado added 11.