GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Marina Wins, Closes In on Fourth Title in Row

Maybe it’s the tradition, or the gymnasium. Maybe it’s the proven player, Shandy Robbins, or the unheralded one, Martita Emde.

Whatever it is, Marina has it, and with the Vikings’ 49-43 victory Saturday over seventh-ranked Fountain Valley, they are in an ideal position to win their fourth consecutive Sunset League title.

Marina (16-5, 9-1), ranked fifth in Orange County, extended its home winning streak in league games to 25 against a team that had beaten the Vikings twice this season--by three points in overtime, and by two.

Marina now has leads of one game over sixth-ranked Ocean View and two over the Barons (15-6, 7-3).

They can thank Robbins--an all-league player last year as a sophomore--who scored 18 points and had nine rebounds, as well as Emde, who scored 17 points and keyed a third-quarter comeback with eight--two drives to the basket, two shots from 18 feet.

Marina used a halfcourt trap to fluster the Barons into nine third-quarter turnovers, overcoming a six-point halftime deficit. Emde scored six of her team’s first 10 points, and her 18-footer with 3 minutes 43 seconds left gave Marina a 30-28 lead. The Barons went the final 5:38 of the quarter without a point.

“Coach (Pete Bonny) said we were being timid in the first half,” Emde said. “He said we should take the ball and go for it--be more aggressive--and to step it up on defense. We just needed to get that aggressive, confident feeling.”

Marina was all over the floor and all over the listless Barons in the second half. The Vikings played as if a championship was at stake, and Fountain Valley did not.

“I really want to four-peat,” Robbins said. “This game was really important to me because I want to be a part of that.”

Marina’s defense was the biggest factor and got some big plays from Sonya Bryant (seven points, eight rebounds) despite foul trouble. Almost every Fountain Valley shot was contested; the Barons have shot about 43% from the field this season but shot only 33% (17 of 52) Saturday. Nicole Strange (10 points, 11 rebounds), shooting 54% this year, was three for 17. Jen Ludwicki (12 points, seven rebounds), shooting 47%, was five for 14.

In other league games:

Ocean View 60, Santa Ana 29--Freshman point guard Jennifer Tuilosega had 16 points, and Farrah Magee added 14 for visiting Ocean View (14-4, 8-2). Santa Ana dropped to 10-12, 2-8.

Rosary 80, Huntington Beach 62--Rosary (10-7, 4-6) moved into a fourth-place tie with Edison and ended a six-game losing streak. Jennifer Chey scored 24 and Kathleen Celio had 19 points and 15 rebounds for Rosary. Huntington Beach is 7-12, 3-7.

Westminster 63, Edison 50--Amber Farroux scored 21 points and had 13 rebounds in Westminster’s upset. Lisa Tamamasui added 14 points and 13 rebounds for Westminster (8-13, 3-7). Marie Philman led both teams with 23 points for Edison (13-8, 4-6).

In the Olympic League:

Orange Lutheran 54, Calvary Chapel 49--Guard Kristin Weddick had 23 points and Jennifer Zweig added 10 for host Orange Lutheran (10-9, 4-4) in its upset. Blyth Linsey had 30 points for Calvary Chapel (13-8, 5-3).

In the Olympic League:

Whittier Christian 55, Ontario Christian 49--Guard Kim Nenke scored 18 points, and Kristy Ralson had 11 points and 10 rebounds for host Whittier Christian (11-7, 6-3).

In nonleague girls’ basketball:

Dana Hills 63, Aliso Niguel 29--Karun Grossman scored 20 points for host Dana Hills (15-6, 4-3). Dian Mitchelson scored 19 for Aliso Niguel.