GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : University Survives Spartan Rally

As Villa Park’s Michelle Miyake prepared to shoot three foul shots with 37 seconds left, she said she thought back to last year’s playoff opener against University, when teammate Tara Earl made two of three shots with one second left and Villa Park lost by one.

This time, Miyake made all three and pulled the Spartans to within a three-point basket. And with two seconds left, her three-point shot hit the rim, bounced around and fell out.

University again won, 52-49, and claimed the first Lady Spartan Christmas tournament title. In some ways, the Trojans (4-2) were lucky: They held their largest lead, 50-40, with 3:45 remaining, and they committed three turnovers in the final 1:22 to give Villa Park (11-2) its shot at victory.

“I feel like we lost,” University Coach Bob Bernal said. “We had the game; I called a timeout (with 3:33 left) and told them, ‘Don’t foul, and make sure (Miyake) doesn’t get a three-point opportunity.’ ”

Instead, Miyake was five of five from the line, and after making all three shots after getting fouled on a three-point attempt, it looked as if Villa Park might complete the comeback. But nothing went right offensively:

-- Maureen Skehan (15 points) stole a pass with 15 seconds left, but point guard Michelle Jacquet’s three-point attempt with eight seconds missed the rim and University got the ball.

-- Two seconds later, University’s Jennifer Stanley (16 points, eight of 12 from the field) was whistled for traveling, but Miyake’s shot only teased the hopeful.

Jacquet (10 points) left the game for about three minutes in the third quarter after she was shaken up by a collision. At that time, Villa Park led, 31-29. University reeled off six consecutive points, and when Jacquet returned, the offense never got back in sync; Villa Park made only four field goals in the final 11 minutes.

Four players scored in double figures for University, including Pam Loud (12), Mary Medina (12) and Heather Snavely (10), who had two of the Trojans’ three second-half three-point baskets.

In another tournament game:

Calvary Chapel 32, Aliso Niguel 29--Blythe Linsay scored 23 and made two free throws in the final seconds to lead Calvary Chapel (7-3). Deanna Mitchelson scored 12 for Aliso Niguel (2-5).