GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / CITY 3-A DIVISION : Berkowitz, Tillman Lead Granada Hills

Karen Berkowitz scored 17 points to lead Granada Hills High to a 50-42 victory over Roosevelt and its first City Section title since 1983 Friday in the 3-A final at the Sports Arena.

The Highlanders, the North Valley League champion, led by as many as 12 points in the first half but weathered 12 lead changes before taking the lead for good, 36-35, with five minutes to play. Granada Hills extended its lead to 46-37 with 2:27 left.

“We didn’t think they were better than us,” Berkowitz said. “We thought we would win if we didn’t beat ourselves.”

Shelise Tillman added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Yvonne Zandi had 14 rebounds and five blocks for Granada Hills (13-6).

“Once we started shooting well, everyone got pumped up,” Tillman said. “Everybody said the Valley girls can’t do it, but we did it.”

Roosevelt High won the 3-A title last season and has been in the 3-A final three of the past four years, but Coach Lorenzo Garcia said this year’s trip was the most rewarding. Roosevelt, the Eastern League’s third-place finisher, returned no starters from last year’s 3-A champion team.

“It’s like a coach’s dream,” he said.

Garcia’s optimism, though, quickly turned into concern after Roosevelt managed only two first-quarter points and fell behind, 16-4, with 5:33 left in the first half.

However, the Roughriders used an aggressive full-court press to rally for 12 unanswered points and tie the score, 16-16, with 1:26 remaining.

Roosevelt made only eight of 27 shots in the second half while Granada Hills made 12 of 26.

Denise Caudillo led Roosevelt (18-6) with 15 points. Martha Serrano scored 12 points and 10 rebounds and Thelma Ponce had five assists.