Southern Section Girls Dominate Behind Goldstine

The Southern Section girls’ team was a bit undermanned after several members failed to show for the fifth Boys and Girls Club of San Fernando Valley all-star basketball game against the City Section at Pierce College on Saturday night.

However, Lauren Goldstine of Westlake High made up for the difference, scoring a game-high 21 points to lead the Southern Section to a 77-55 victory.

Goldstine, a 6-foot center who holds the Ventura County record for rebounds with 1,274, also had 16 rebounds and three steals. She was named the game’s most valuable player.

Despite playing 10-minute quarters (instead of the normal eight) and having only eight players, the Southern Section never trailed.

Goldstine scored four of her team’s first eight points and the Southern Section scored the final eight points to take a 16-8 first-quarter lead against the 16-player City Section team.

The Southern Section led, 36-29, at halftime and 55-43 entering the final quarter.

“I didn’t realize we were playing 10-minute quarters until the third quarter,” said Goldstine, the Division II player of the year who will attend UC Santa Barbara.

Bell-Jeff’s Lori Leon scored 13 points and had three steals, Gretchen Swett of Westlake had 11 points and Maria Costa of Chaminade had nine points and five assists for the Southern Section.

Bernie Samaniego of San Fernando led the City with nine points.

Among the missing Southern Section players were Alemany’s Rachel Corelli and Sarah Guziel.