GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Low-Key Style Earns Victory for Valencia

Valencia Coach Kelly Stephenson took the low-key approach. The less her young team knew about the ramifications of Tuesday’s game against Western, the better.

“They don’t like the pressure,” she said.

Western Coach Ron Flores was up front. “It’s a must-win game for us,” he said. “They know how important this game is.”

When it was over, Stephenson knew she had taken the right approach. Valencia virtually clinched a playoff spot by beating Western, 57-39, in the Pioneer gym. The Tigers (11-7, 5-2) remained tied with Magnolia for second place in the Orange League, behind unbeaten Brea-Olinda. The top three teams get automatic playoff berths.

Western (9-13, 3-4) dropped to two games behind Valencia and Magnolia with four to play. The Pioneers need help to reach the playoffs.

“We knew this could be a turning point in our season,” said Valencia’s Cindi Judd, who scored 10 first-half points as the Tigers took a 35-20 lead. “We had to win this game to keep our playoff hopes alive.

“We just came in and did what we had to do.”

What they did, specifically, was play good defense. Trailing, 16-15, after one quarter, they held Western to 19% shooting in the final three quarters (seven of 37).

Valencia shot 52% from the field in the first half (15 of 29) and survived a festival of errors in the second. The Tigers outscored Western in the third quarter, 6-4, as the teams combined for 20 turnovers in eight minutes. They combined for 17 turnovers in the fourth. There were 60 overall.

Valencia’s LaQuinta Alexander scored a game-high 17, with 12 rebounds and four steals.

Isabel Rojas scored 16 for Western, which made one of nine shots in the decisive second quarter.

In other league games:

Magnolia 63, Savanna 15--Andrea Picchi had 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Whitney Torregano had a game-high 17 points for Magnolia (14-7, 5-2). Savanna drops to 4-14, 1-6.

Brea-Olinda 112, Anaheim 23--Kiyoko Miller had 20 points and reserve Dawn Metz added 16 for top-ranked Brea-Olinda (21-0, 7-0). Brea led 59-9 at halftime and got 54 points from its reserves. The 112 was a season-high for the Ladycats. Anaheim is 5-10, 0-6.