GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Erickson Helps Brea Hold Off St. Bernard

Brea-Olinda had its hands full with a tall and talented St. Bernard team, but the visitors from Playa del Rey didn’t have anybody who could handle Ladycat guard Nicole Erickson.

Erickson scored 11 of her game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter--including three three-pointers--to lead the Ladycats (8-0) to a 48-45 victory in the championship of their tournament Saturday night at Brea-Olinda High.

St. Bernard, which has four starters back from last season’s 24-3 team that reached the Division III-A playoff semifinals, had tied the score, 31-31, after three quarters.

Erickson then went on a tear, hitting a two-pointer and two consecutive three-point baskets, to give Brea a 41-35 lead with 4:39 left. St. Bernard hit three consecutive one-and-one free throw situations to close the gap to 46-45 with 1:35 remaining.

But Colleen Hudson rebounded Sara Beckley’s missed shot and scored with 19 seconds left for the final score.

Erickson and Hudson were co-most valuable players.