GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Brea Pressure Too Much for Sacred Heart

Brea-Olinda extended its winning streak to 64 games Wednesday and ended another team’s winning streak at 80, five short of the state record.

Brea, the defending Division III State champion, scored a 57-56 victory over Atherton Sacred Heart, the defending Division I State champion, in the second round of the Tournament of Champions at Santa Barbara High.

The Ladycats’ victory is somewhat stunning. Brea (10-0), which has won four consecutive State titles, is considered to be rebuilding this year, even though it is ranked second in Orange County. Sacred Heart (5-1) has three starters returning from a State championship team, is ranked seventh in one national poll and features two players headed for Division I programs, 6-foot-3 Jenny Circle (USC) and 6-1 Kobie Kennon (California).

Brea returned only two starters, junior Kiyoko Miller and senior Lee Moulin, who will play next year at Cal State Fullerton.

The matchup created a clash of styles.

“They walk the ball and they’re big--Circle is the real deal,” first-year Brea Coach Jeff Sink said. “We wanted to push the ball at them on offense, and defensively make them play 92 feet.”

And Brea did, winning with defense. The Ladycats took point guard Renee Robinson out of the game with the full court press and denied Circle the ball. Circle, who averaged 19 points last year, scored 13. Kennon, who averaged 13.5, scored only five.

Freshman Kacey Scheppler had six three-point baskets and a team-high 18 points, to lead Sacred Heart; her three-pointer at the buzzer made it a one-point game. Brea had a 13-point lead with five minutes to go.

Miller had a game-high 20 points and sophomore Jennifer Saari had 13; Dawn Metz, who represents Brea’s inside game, scored eight and had seven rebounds. Marissa Bradley also scored eight points.

“In particular, Bradley, Saari, (Lee) Moulin and Miller worked so hard on the perimeter (that) for 28 of 32 minutes, it was a full court game,” Sink said. “The last three or four minutes our youth took over and we played a little out of control and took some poor shots. We were fortunate to come away with a victory.”

Brea plays Fresno Clovis West, ranked No. 6 nationally, today in one semifinal round; Woodbridge, No. 1 in Orange County, is in the other semifinal against Chino.

In other tournament games:

Woodbridge 70, L.A. Washington 42--Lisa Weaver scored six of her seven points in the second quarter, sparking Woodbridge (7-0) to a 40-21 halftime lead. The Warriors got 18 points from Erin Stovall, 14 from Angela Burgess and 12 from Krissy Duperron.

Fresno Clovis West 57, Fountain Valley 50--Tied at halftime, sixth-ranked Fountain Valley (6-3) was outscored, 16-8, in the third quarter. Jennifer Ludwick scored 19 points and Nicole Strange had 10 for the Barons.

In the Las Vegas Lady Wolves Tournament:

Westminster 61, Reno McQueen 49--Westminster (6-3) led throughout behind the play of Amber Farroux, who had 15 rebounds and 12 points, and April Ramirez, who had 13 points.

In nonleague girls’ basketball:

Norwalk 66, La Quinta 38--Elizabeth Gomez scored 12 points for winless La Quinta (0-8).

Santiago 38, El Toro 37--Santiago outscored the Chargers, 20-12, in the second half. Angie Chingdam had 18 points to lead the Cavaliers (3-6). Janell Jewett had 18 points for El Toro (3-6).

Troy 61, Valencia 46--Dinah Shah had 17 points and Jennie Gadd 16 for Troy (7-4).