GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : La Habra’s Defense Clamps Down on Fullerton

La Habra clinched at least a tie for the Freeway League girls’ basketball championship by defeating Fullerton, 49-41, Thursday night at Fullerton High School.

The Highlanders (14-6, 8-0 in league), who needed an overtime to defeat Fullerton, 50-47, on Jan. 16, relied on their defense, forcing 17 Fullerton turnovers and holding the Indians to 19-of-61 shooting (31%) from the field.

Fullerton closed to within 38-35 on a Sommer McLane layup to end the third quarter, but managed only six fourth-quarter points.

Although 6-foot-5 center Zrinka Kristich, who will play basketball at UCLA next season, managed only 12 points and 12 rebounds, her passing sparked a 12-2 run to close the second quarter.

Kristich had three assists in the final 4 minutes 9 seconds of the first half, setting up teammates Jeanette Little, who finished with a team-high 15 points, and Jackie Kelly (13).

“Everyone wonders why our 6-5 player isn’t averaging 30 points per game and they say we don’t use Z (Kristich),” La Habra Coach John Koehler said. “But my gosh, she’s got three defenders on her . . . so let’s use other people. (Kristich) is so unselfish, she wants to be an all-around player.”

Fullerton’s all-around player, McLane, scored a game-high 17 points, but didn’t get much scoring support. Tiana Roberson, who scored 16 points in the first game against La Habra, managed only 10 points on five-of-15 shooting.