HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Chatsworth Takes Best Shot at 3-A Title but Misses, 47-40

The opportunities were there for the Chatsworth High girls’ basketball team.

But with the Chancellors hitting only three of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter and junior center Nancy Vincent enduring one of her worst games of the season, they were wasted chances.

Narbonne capitalized on Chatsworth’s miscues to win the City 3-A final, 47-40, Friday night at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“The rim wasn’t our friend tonight,” said Vincent, the North Valley League’s most valuable player, who made two of 17 shots and scored seven points.

Chatsworth made only 26% of its shots (15 of 57).

Still, the Chancellors were in the game until the final minutes.

Trailing, 42-38, with two minutes remaining, Jodi Borenstein stole a Narbonne pass but missed an uncontested layup. Vincent missed the follow shot.

“The missed layup was a mistake,” Vincent said. “I Just picked a bad night to make a lot of them.”

Patrice Barnes hit a short jumper and the Gauchos (19-7) finally had a firm grip on the title.

Part of Vincent’s problems were caused by 6-4 Narbonne center Robin Hayes.

“I have never played against anyone that tall before,” Vincent said. “It took me a while to adjust.”

Chatsworth Coach Emad Whitney said his team has shot free throws poorly all season.

“We continuously work on it,” Whitney said. “Maybe it has to do with lack of experience. I’m just going to chalk it up as one of those nights.”

Tynitra Wilson had 16 points and 14 rebounds for Chatsworth.