SUNSET LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Marina Alone in First After Beating Seahawks

Ocean View showed the kind of resiliency that makes the Sunset League so tough, but it was Marina’s unbending defense that determined who’s in first place today.

Fifth-ranked Marina fended off a late charge by sixth-ranked Ocean View and gained a 48-45 victory over the visiting Seahawks, taking sole possession of first place in the county’s strongest girls’ basketball league.

Marina (14-5, 7-1 in league) got 15 points and eight rebounds from Shandy Robbins, who sat out the final five minutes of the third quarter after committing her fourth foul. Ocean View (15-4, 6-2) then closed an 11-point deficit to 39-34 entering the fourth. Becky Fraser, who missed her first 11 shots, then made three in a row and tied the score at 40.

Norie Nakase’s layup after a full-court pass from Marina’s Martita Emde on an inbounds play with 1:21 left--immediately following Fraser’s fifth foul--made it 48-44.

Marina’s defense made the difference, especially Nakase, who made only her fourth start of the season. She held three-point specialist Jennifer Tuiolosega to four points and one three-point attempt--with two seconds left.

Ocean View shooting was poor, (31%), including going three of 16 to open the third quarter.

Marina Coach Pete Bonny was called for a technical foul--he crossed the midcourt line--with 28 seconds left, giving Ocean View an opportunity to win, but Dustine Yamamoto made one of two free throws and the Seahawks came up empty on the ensuing possession.