GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SOUTHERN SECTION V-A FINAL : Zone Gives Bethel Christian Title

Coach Shawn Hunskor saw his Bethel Christian High team fall behind by eight points after one quarter of Friday night’s Southern Section V-A girls’ basketball final, and he did something he hoped he wouldn’t have to do.

After watching visiting Lone Pine chew up his team’s man-to-man defense, Hunskor switched to a zone. The move paid off as the first-year coach never would have dreamed, paving the way for a 40-36 Bethel Christian victory at Antelope Valley College.

“When we played Lone Pine earlier, we went to a zone and they killed us with their outside shooting,” Hunskor said.

Lone Pine (22-4) had beaten Bethel Christian three times this season, twice in Desert-Mountain League play.

The zone worked so well this time, the Eagles (21-5) remained in it over the final three quarters, during which they outscored Lone Pine, 30-18.

Bethel Christian outscored Lone Pine, 11-3, in the second quarter to move into a 21-21 tie at halftime.

The key to the rally was the play of forward Keri Burns, who scored five of her game-high 17 points in the quarter.

Bethel Christian took the lead for good, 27-25, on a layup by Burns with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Bethel Christian eventually took a 39-33 lead with less than one minute to play and cruised to the school’s first section championship.

Burns had nine rebounds and guard Lori Furman added 13 points. Forward Chrys Andrews led Lone Pine with 10 points.