SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION I-A : Thousand Oaks Eliminates Marina

In last year’s Division I-A girls’ basketball semifinal against Thousand Oaks, Marina Coach Pete Bonny admitted his team was intimidated by the nationally ranked Lancers. Going into Tuesday’s rematch, Bonny was confident his team was ready.

But top-seeded and undefeated Thousand Oaks was up to the challenge, eliminating the Vikings, 65-42, at Edison High School.

Melissa Wood scored 21 points and Marion Jones added 18 points, 16 rebounds and blocked two shots to lead Thousand Oaks (29-0) into Saturday’s championship game.

Marina, the Sunset League champions, trailed 26-16 after one quarter behind Jessica Trippet’s 10 points. But Thousand Oaks outscored the Vikings, 22-9, in the second quarter to lead at halftime, 48-25.

“I don’t know of too many teams that could beat them the way they shot the ball in the first half,” Bonny said. “We were contesting every shot, and they still went in.”

The Vikings held Thousand Oaks to a season-low five points in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 53-36 midway through the third quarter. But they could get no closer, turning the ball over on three consecutive possessions. The Lancers broke the game open again with a 8-2 run early in the fourth quarter.

Trippet led Marina, which finished at 22-5, with 18 points. The senior center also had 18 rebounds. “We played hard and that’s all we can do,” Trippet said. “They’re a good team.”

Marina held Jones, the national prep record-holder in the 100 and 200 meters, to just four points in the second half. The highly regarded senior, known for her quickness and inside play, surprised the Vikings by connecting on three three-point baskets in the second quarter.