TONIGHT’S GIRLS’ GAMES : Estancia, Newport Harbor Must Focus on Each Other

Both teams like to run. Both harass opponents with relentless full-court presses. And both enter their quarterfinal game tonight in the Southern Section Division III-AA girls’ basketball playoffs willing to do anything to advance.

Even if that means a possible game against powerful Brea-Olinda in the semifinals Tuesday.

But neither Estancia Coach Russ Davis nor Newport Harbor Coach Shannon Jakosky can afford to think about the Ladycats now. Looking ahead can leave you way behind.

So the two coaches are focusing on the job at hand because they want to extend their jobs this season to one more round.

“We feel that man for man, we match up well with them (Estancia),” said Jakosky, whose fourth-seeded Sailors (16-8) finished second in the Sea View League. “We have a little bit of a height advantage at center, so we’ll try to exploit that.”

The host Sailors feature 6-foot senior Maureen McLaren at center, who averages around 10 points and 10 rebounds. They also have one of the best jump shooters in the county in 5-8 junior guard Michaela Ross (17.5 points). Their offensive skills concern Davis.

“We have to shut down their two best players (McLaren and Ross),” said Davis, who last season coached Woodbridge to the Southern Section Division II-A title. “They are about 75% of their scoring.”

Davis counters with two standout players in 5-9 senior guard Monique Sweet (18 points) and 5-11 junior forward Leah Braatz (13 points, 15 rebounds). But Sweet suffered a sprained ankle Saturday in Estancia’s 52-23 first-round victory over Compton Centennial and wasn’t able to practice most of the week. Davis isn’t sure of her status.

“I imagine she’ll play,” he said. “Knowing her, I think she’ll give it her best shot.”

If she doesn’t, or if she can’t play full out, Estancia won’t be able to stay in the game with Newport Harbor. But Jakosky, for one, would like to see Sweet in the game.

“I hope she’s able to play,” Jakosky said. “She’s a great competitor, and she means so much to their team.”

In other Division III-AA games:

Brea-Olinda (25-2) at Culver City (16-9): The Ladycats, seeded first in the division, go on the road, but Culver City probably hopes Brea takes a wrong turn somewhere. Brea, the defending State Division II champion, has won 10 consecutive playoff games dating to the 1990-91 season. Junior guard Jenny Nakanishi (25 points, 72 three-pointers during the season) sparks Culver City. Senior forward Jody Anton, who scored 20 points in a first-round victory Saturday over Lakewood St. Joseph, is one of several Brea standouts.

Santa Margarita (17-8) at El Dorado (18-6): The amazing turnabout continues for Santa Margarita, which won only two games last season but now finds itself a mere two steps away from reaching the division final. Sophomore forward Leslie Nolan (15.3-point average) leads the Eagles. El Dorado is paced by junior forward Jody Caruso, who averages 12 points and senior center Erin Vessey (10.3 points, 13.3 rebounds).

In Division I-AA:

Capistrano Valley (26-1) at Long Beach Millikan (22-5): Another team on a roll, the Cougars take the court today seeking their 24th consecutive victory. Capistrano Valley, the only county school still alive in this division, lost its only game at the Irvine tournament in December to Division III-AA powerhouse Brea.

In Division I-A:

Thousand Oaks (25-1) at Edison (15-10): Unfortunately for Edison, it looks like the end of the road. Top-seeded Thousand Oaks comes south with the third all-time leading scorer in State girls’ basketball history, senior guard Michelle Palmisano, who has 2,662 career points.

Pasadena (22-3) at Marina (23-4): This could prove to be the tightest game of the quarterfinals in this division because both teams appear closely matched. Guard Tremayne Parker (10.7 points) leads Pasadena. Marina, the Sunset League champion, has center Jessica Trippet (15.0 points) and guard Aimee Periolat (11.5 points, 4.0 assists).

Coachella Valley (22-1) at Ocean View (21-6): The Seahawks, one of three Sunset League teams still in the playoffs, won a coin flip and drew a home game against No. 2-seeded Coachella Valley. The game matches up the inside play of Ocean View center Nikki Vivion (12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds) with the outside shooting of Coachella Valley guard Inez Valenzuela (17.8 points), who scored 32 points in a game this season.

In Division II-AA:

Cerritos Gahr (22-4) at Garden Grove (13-10): Not even the home-court advantage can help the Argonauts against No. 1-seeded Gahr, one of the best teams in the Southern Section. Senior forward Allison Arredondo averages 15 points and seven rebounds for Gahr.

Walnut (19-7) at Woodbridge (19-7): The Warriors, winners of the Division II-A title last season and the No. 4-seeded team in this division, need to contain Walnut’s Davette Williams to remain in contention for a second consecutive Southern Section championship. Williams, a 5-7 senior guard, averages 20.3 points. Forward Belinda Taub (12.3 points), forward Priya Vasudev (11.7 points) and guard Florencia Luppani (8.5 assists) lead Woodbridge.

Tustin (19-7) at Torrance (19-6): If center Christine Garner (17.8 points, 13 rebounds) and forward Shari Needham (18.7 points) turn in solid performances as usual, the Tillers should advance. Torrance, a Pioneer League at-large entry, struggled to beat Canyon, 59-56, in the first round.

In Division II-A:

Riverside Rubidoux (25-0) at Cypress (20-4): Though sporting an intimidating record, the Falcons are at serious risk of not only spoiling their unblemished mark against the Centurions, but also of being bounced from the playoffs. Rubidoux barely got by El Modena, 56-45, and Empire League champion Cypress figures to put up a better challenge. Lupe Nava and Jessica Eggleston, each of whom scored 22 points Wednesday in a victory over Redondo Union, lead the Centurions.

North Torrance (19-6) at Savanna (19-6): Can the Rebels beat North Torrance? The indication is they should, if what’s happened in the past two rounds is any indication. In the second round Wednesday, Savanna beat San Marcos, which had defeated No. 2-seeded Glenn in the first round. Junior center Sara Works averages around 17 points for Savanna, and junior guard Stacey Aliff around 15.

In Division III-A:

La Canada (20-8) at Rancho Alamitos (18-2): With 6-0 junior forward Melissa Lord (19.5 points, 12.1 rebounds) in the lineup, La Canada presents a formidable task for the Vaqueros. But Rancho Alamitos Coach Bob Becker said his team played poorly against Atascadero in the second round and still won, 78-59. And La Canada had trouble with Rosary, barely winning, 46-35. Get the picture?

Costa Mesa (20-6) at Northview (10-12): The Mustangs, who won the Division III-A title two years ago and lost to St. Bernard in the finals last season, can smell a semifinal game Tuesday against the winner of the La Canada-Rancho Alamitos game. Olivia DiCamilli (22.7 points, 9.4 rebounds) does it all for Costa Mesa.

Division IV-A:

Orange Lutheran (16-7) at Kern Valley (18-3): It’ll be a long ride back for the Lancers, who don’t figure to upset fourth-seeded Kern Valley. Last year Kern Valley lost to Orange Lutheran in the first round. Kern Valley wants a pay-back.

Division V-AA:

Encino Holy Martyrs (22-2) at Capistrano Valley Christian (12-13): The Eagles are the only county team remaining in this division . . . but not for long. Holy Martyrs, seeded fourth, made it to the quarterfinals last season and this year appear to be a strong candidate for the final.

Division V-A:

Cal Lutheran (17-2) at La Canada Ribet Academy (18-4): Both teams met in the quarterfinals two years ago, with Ribet Academy winning, 74-58. This time, fourth-seeded Cal Lutheran should return the favor.