SUNSET LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Huntington Beach Upsets Marina to Share Top Spot

It is called the Superman defense, and in it, Clare Walker wears the cape.

Walker, averaging 23.2 points, used her considerable physical skills to key a strong defensive effort as Huntington Beach, ranked fifth in the county, scored a 54-43 upset of second-ranked Marina.

It is the first time the Oilers (17-3, 7-1 in the Sunset League) have beaten Marina (14-4, 7-1) this season, following 16- and four-point losses. “The difference in this game was the defense,” Oiler coach Nick Bartlett said. “We didn’t do anything different. We just played like we do against other teams.”

Especially Walker, who scored 19 points, had 16 rebounds and was instrumental in disrupting the Vikings’ offense despite playing the second half with three fouls.

In the Superman defense, Walker roams the key, following the ball.

“(Walker has) to pick up two players and be able to move to the high and low post,” Bartlett said. “If she can’t, it’s an easy two points.”

Marina hardly got anything easy. The Oilers stole the ball 19 times with each starter getting at least three.

The Vikings opened a 10-4 lead with 1 minute 43 seconds left in the first quarter, but Huntington Beach went on consecutive 10-0 runs. When Walker went to the bench after her third foul with 1:51 left in the half, the Oilers led, 24-12.

Huntington Beach continued to take advantage of Marina’s turnovers--there were 21 in the game--and held a 39-20 lead. The Vikings cut the lead to 49-43 with 1:24 remaining on the strength of two Aimee Periolat three-point baskets in the fourth quarter. She finished with a team-high 13 points.

“We looked like we were intimidated,” Periolat said. “As soon as they got a couple of baskets, a couple of us got rattled.”

In other games:

Edison 66, Rosary 55--Joan Paje broke the Orange County career record three-point record en route to a 32- point performance to lead Edison (11-7, 5-3). Paje made six three-pointers, giving her 140 for her career, breaking the previous record of 137 held by former Brea-Olinda standout Aimee McDaniel (1986-90), who is playing at Pepperdine.

Jennifer Chey scored 27 points for Rosary.

Fountain Valley 50, Santa Ana 17--Senior forward Julie Murdent led Fountain Valley (11-8, 5-3) with 18 points. Cynthia Trotter had 10 points for Santa Ana (7-9, 1-7).

Ocean View 65, Westminster 31--Theresa Martini scored 16 for Ocean View (10-9, 4-4). Rachel Kavan had 10 points for Westminster (5-12, 2-6).