GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / DIVISION I REGIONAL : Lynwood Gets Shot at Repeat

Lynwood High’s Timicha Kirby scored 17 of her game-high 29 points in the second half as the second-ranked Knights blew past Fresno Clovis West, 62-51, to advance to the Division I State final.

The Southern Regional final was close until late in the third quarter. But then, defending Division I State champion Lynwood (32-1), pulled away to win for the 61st time in 62 games.

“We always compare it to a boxing match,” Lynwood Coach Ellis Barfield said. “Two opponents feel each other out. Then once you know what you have, you go to your strength.”

Lynwood’s strength: Kirby.

The 5-foot-11 senior forward scored 10 points in the final 1:40 of the third quarter to give Lynwood a 40-32 lead.

Kirby hit two three-pointers during the stretch, including a 35-footer at the buzzer.

“As far as our team is concerned, we move the ball around so much on offense,” Barfield said, “and I don’t think people give Timicha enough credit for being able to find her shot. She really attacks the basket.”

Kirby created her own openings, making running jump shots, NBA-range three-pointers, and rebound layups.

Said Kirby: “In the second half, I knew I had to step up and take the open shots. I had kind of taken myself out of the game in the first half.”

Kirby and the Knights were taken out of their normal pressure defense in the first half, when they were whistled for 16 fouls.

“I felt we were handcuffed in the first half,” Barfield said. “We had to back off a little.”

But Lynwood wasn’t worried.

“There was never a time when we feel like we’re in a hole and we’re going to lose,” forward Tawana Grimes said. “We just say, ‘Come on, guys, let’s play defense.’ We have so much confidence in each other.”

With good reason. Lynwood forced nine turnovers by Clovis West (27-2) in the second half, compared to only three in the first half.

Golden Eagle forward Paige Bevie scored a team-high 17 points. Adrian Williams added 12 points and nine rebounds.

For Lynwood, Kirby had nine rebounds and made 11 of 23 shots. Knight forward Monique Matthews added 10 points and Grimes had eight points and nine rebounds.

Lynwood will play Atherton Sacred Heart in Saturday’s championship at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Said Kirby of the Knights’ return to Oakland: “It feels spectacular.”