SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION II-AA : Brea-Olinda Back in a Familiar Spot

When the Southern Section girls’ basketball finals arrive, it seems you can often round up the usual suspects. And for the fifth consecutive year, that would include Brea-Olinda’s Ladycats.

After Tuesday night’s cool, clinical, 76-48 dissection of Hemet in the Division II-AA semifinals at Sonora High, Brea-Olinda will meet Cerritos Gahr, a 61-41 winner over Moreno Valley, in the 3:15 p.m. final Saturday at Loyola Marymount.

“They are a great team, the best team I’ve seen all year” Hemet Coach Greg Veatch said. “They play well as a unit and know their individual strengths and weaknesses. You would have to have a perfect night, and they would still be tough to beat.”

Veatch thought the Bulldogs--winners of 13 of their last 15--had a chance, but Brea jumped to an 18-4 first-quarter lead. The Ladycats (27-2) smothered Hemet’s superior height with a zone defense, and Nicole Erickson led the Brea offense.

Hemet (19-8) closed the gap to 18-12, but Brea went on a 9-3 streak. Michelle Marshall’s three-point basket cut the deficit to 27-18, but Brea went on a 11-2 streak for a 38-20 lead on Sara Beckley’s basket with 2:01 left in the first half.

“We went on brief runs, but then they would go on longer runs,” Veatch said.

The Ladycats led, 72-37, with 3:12 left, when Brea Coach Mark Trakh emptied his bench.

Erickson led Brea with 23 points, 10 assists and five steals. Colleen Hudson added 21 points, nine rebounds and six steals. Angela Darnell led Hemet with 19 points and 10 rebounds.