SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : III-AA Girls : Inglewood Morningside vs. Brea-Olinda, 8:30 p.m.

SITE--Bren Center

RECORDS--Inglewood Morningside (17-10), Brea-Olinda (27-2)

MORNINGSIDE--The Monarchs, seeded second, have an outstanding player in 6-foot-2 forward Tina Thompson (23.5 points, 12.9 rebounds). But Coach Rod Tatum said his team has a height disadvantage against the Ladycats, particularly in the backcourt. “We have to try and contain (Brea guards) Jody Anton and Nicole Erickson, and just make sure the other girls don’t beat us,” Tatum said. Anton is six feet and Morningside’s two guards, Kamiesha Prewitt and Aisa Edwards are only 5-3 and 5-6, respectively. Morningside has won four consecutive Southern Section titles. The Monarchs also won the State Division I championships in 1989 and 1990 with Lisa Leslie (now at USC) at center.

BREA-OLINDA--Coach Mark Trakh goes for his 320th career victory with the Ladycats, the defending State Division II champions who are making their fourth consecutive appearance in a Southern Section championship game. Brea won titles in 1989 (III-A), 1990 (III-AA) and 1991 (II-AA). Trakh feels his team should win tonight if it can contain Thompson. “If we do that, we’re fine. But you never know,” Trakh said. Senior guard Anton, one of the team’s stellar players, will guard Thompson. “We are going back to our man-to-man defense, which is our strength,” Trakh said. Anton averages 15.7 points and seven rebounds, and point guard Nicole Erickson averages 13 points and 6.2 assists.

KEY TO THE GAME--Keeping Thompson from going inside is Brea’s main task defensively. The Ladycats, seeded first, have the personnel to accomplish that. But does Morningside have enough depth to counter Brea’s more balanced squad? Doesn’t look that way.

CONSENSUS--Thompson is good. But unless Morningside can borrow Leslie from the Lady Trojans, Brea won’t have trouble winning another title.

Starting Lineups

INGLEWOOD MORNINGSIDE

P Name Ht. Avg. F Tina Thompson 6-2 23.5 F Cheryl Dickson 5-9 3.5 C Charisse Barnett 6-1 1.4 G Kamiesha Prewitt 5-3 10.5 G Aisa Edwards 5-6 6.0

Coach: Rod Tatum

BREA-OLINDA

P Name Ht. Avg. F Sarah Beckley 5-10 10.8 F Katie Bauer 5-11 8.4 C Colleen Hudson 6-1 11.4 G Jody Anton 6-0 15.7 G Nicole Erickson 5-6 13.0

Coach: Mark Trakh