DIVISION V GIRLS : Stutz, Christian Teach Pasadena Poly a Lesson

Could it be Pasadena Poly only scouted Christian for one half Tuesday?

On that day, Christian’s Tiffany Stutz, the San Diego Section’s second-leading scorer, was held scoreless in the first half before finishing with 21 points.

It was a different story Thursday as Christian advanced to Saturday’s Southern California Girls’ Division V Regional final with a 64-31 rout of Poly in front of 500 at Christian High.

Stutz, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, scored all 12 of Christian’s points in the first quarter, and Poly did not get on the board until 1:13 remained in that quarter.

In the end, Stutz matched the entire Poly team with 31 points. She also had 10 assists and 10 steals.

Defense was the key for the top-seeded Patriots (22-4), who can make it to the state finals for the second year in a row with a victory Saturday against fifth-seeded Arcadia Rio Hondo (25-1).

Stutz and freshman guard Stephanie Shadwell led a defensive effort that made 22 steals and forced 30 turnovers.

Shadwell scored 13 points and senior forward Jenny Culbertson 10. Lisl Conchran-Bond led fourth-seeded Poly (18-10) with 15 points.

Christian led 12-4 after one quarter and 25-13 at halftime. A 19-8 Patriot run in the third quarter settled all remaining doubt.

In the other Division V game:

Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep 68, Julian 52--After pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the Southern California Regional playoffs on Tuesday, Julian was eliminated by Rio Hondo, which outscored the Eagles, 21-8, in the fourth quarter.

Julian led at halftime, 28-26, and at the end of three quarters, 44-37, but was done in by Rio Hondo’s brilliant final quarter.

Senior forward Brandie Taylor led Julian with 19 points and senior center Jennifer Hekel added 10.

Seeded eighth in the eight-team draw, Julian (20-11) upset No. 2 San Bernardo Christian on Tuesday to advance to Thursday’s semifinal against fifth-seeded Rio Hondo (25-1).