Bell-Jeff Falls After Faltering in 4th Quarter

After both teams alternated putting together impressive scoring runs for three quarters, Bell-Jeff High faltered in the final period and fell to host Valley Christian, 47-44, Thursday night in the semifinals of the Southern California Division IV regional girls’ basketball playoffs.

Lori Talley, Bell-Jeff’s leading scorer with 17 points, made a layup with one minute remaining to cut the Crusaders’ lead to 46-44.

However, on the Crusaders’ next possession, Bell-Jeff guard Joan Batavina fouled center Jodi Parriott on a three-point shot. Parriott made one of three free throws to ice the game.

The Guards (28-2) were outscored, 14-6,in the opening period, but bounced back with a 13-0 run over the first three minutes of the second quarter to take a 19-14 lead. Batavina scored eight of her 11 points during that stretch.

But it was in the third quarter that the teams took turns going on hot streaks.

After the Guards spread their halftime lead of two to 25-19, the Crusaders’ went on a 6-0 run to tie the score, 25-25. Three minutes later, Bell-Jeff was ahead, 32-25, after a 7-0 scoring run.

But Valley Christian went on a 10-3 run to knot the score, 35-35, at the the end of the third quarter.

“We went on some positive runs and they went on some positve runs, but they’re a more physical team then us,” Bell-Jeff Coach Jim Couch said. “But I’m proud of what we did this year.”

The Crusaders (28-2) were led by senior center Julie Bouma, who scored 18 points, and Parriott, who finished with 14.