SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Woodbridge’s Weaver Makes Good on Promise

Lisa Weaver rocked in her chair and shook her legs as she waited, impatiently, for her cue.

Her confidence soaring from recent success, Weaver, a junior, was eager to enter the Southern Section Division II-AA girls’ championship game. The Woodbridge reserve forward believed that she could provide the spark to help Woodbridge overpower Hemet.

Weaver promised herself that if her opportunity came, it would not go wasted.

Promise kept.

Propelled partly by Weaver’s lift, Woodbridge defeated Hemet, 59-47, to claim the division title Saturday at Cal Poly Pomona.

Weaver (5 feet 11) scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. She was at her best in the first half, leading all scorers at halftime with nine points.

Not bad for a player who entered the game averaging roughly five points.

“It’s always my goal to come off the bench and give the team a lift,” Weaver said. “I play behind some great players, so it makes me feel good when I can come in and help them.

“It doesn’t always work out that way, but I’m happy it did today.”

Warrior Coach Eric Bangs is equally pleased.

“She was one of the stories of the game,” Bangs said. “She did a great job finding the ‘sweet spot’ open in their zone.”

Weaver’s impact was especially valuable to Woodbridge--and damaging to Hemet--because of Warrior center Angela Burgess’ foul trouble.

Burgess, who entered the game averaging 13.3 points, was ineffective thanks to three first-half fouls. She finished with only six points.

“Lisa doesn’t mind mixing it up in there,” Bangs said. “We needed her to come in and score, but we also needed defense and rebounding inside.

“She gave us all of that.”

Hemet Coach Gregory Veatch admired the performance, too, albeit reluctantly.

“We had (Burgess) in foul trouble, so we were feeling pretty good about that, and then (Weaver) goes and plays a great game,” Veatch said.

“That’s what it takes to win (a section) championship. One kid stepping up and playing a super game.”