SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION V-AA : Pasadena Poly Eliminates Capistrano Valley Christian, 53-45

Defending champion Pasadena Poly took a 12-point halftime lead and held on for a 53-45 victory over host Capistrano Valley Christian in a Division V-AA girls’ basketball semifinal Tuesday.

Ivana Kovacic had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Eagles (19-7), who drew within five points with 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining but could get no closer.

Barbara Thomas scored 18 points, and Courtney Kanegae had 17 points for top-seeded Poly (25-3).

Heidi Elliott scored 14 points for the Eagles.

“Our kids had never been there before,” Capistrano Valley Christian Coach Tim Shelton said of the playoff semifinal situation. “By the third quarter, we got rid of nervousness, but we put ourselves in hole a little bit too deep.”