SUNSET LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Ocean View Knocks Rosary Down a Bit

On the day Rosary arrived as a girls’ basketball program, the Royals lost.

But, said Ocean View’s Farrah Magee, “They’re legitimate.”

She would know.

Magee was in the middle of seventh-ranked Ocean View’s 63-55 victory over the Royals, who made Orange County’s top 10 poll for the first time Tuesday.

Ranked 10th after beating fifth-ranked Fountain Valley last week, the Royals’ loss created a crowd atop the Sunset League: Rosary (9-2), Ocean View (12-3), Fountain Valley (11-4) and Marina (10-5) are all 3-1.

“When we don’t play our best game and the No. 7 team in the county is excited to beat us, to me, that’s a sign that the impression of us is changing,” Rosary Coach Brendan Powers said. “I told them (being in the top 10) is great, but they shouldn’t make a big deal out of it; it doesn’t mean anything this early in the year.”

Magee scored 22 points--including 16 in the first half to help Ocean View build a 33-24 lead. She also guarded Rosary’s Kathleen Celio (averaging 16.1 points) and held her to nine.

Ocean View’s 12-point fourth-quarter lead disappeared with Rosary’s three-point onslaught: Marie Richardson (14 points, four three-pointers) and Erin Osajima (six points) made two each as the Royals cut the lead to four, 59-55, with 1 minute 39 seconds left.

But the Seahawks held because they made nine of 12 free throws in the quarter. They’re shooting 62% from the line this season.

Said Seahawk Coach Ollie Martin: “I thought our free-throw shooting would be the key to winning some close games this year.”

In other league games:

Fountain Valley 73, Huntington Beach 47--Jen Ludwicki led all scorers with 18 points and Nicole Strange added 16 points for fifth-ranked Fountain Valley (11-4, 3-1).

Marina 57, Edison 53--Shandy Robbins had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Martita Emde had 15 points and six assists to lead Marina (10-5, 3-1). The sixth-ranked Vikings held Edison’s Marie Philman, averaging 29.1 points, to 15 points--all in the second half.

Westminster 45, Santa Ana 35--Lisa Tamamasui scored 17 points and had 15 rebounds, and April Ramirez added 15, including five three-point shots, for Westminster (6-9, 1-3). Nancy Love had 16 points for Santa Ana (8-8, 0-4).