PREP BASKETBALL / STATE TOURNAMENT SOUTHERN REGIONAL FINALS : GIRLS’ ROUNDUP : Woodbridge Beats Brea to Advance to Final

In what has become the premiere girls’ basketball rivalry in Southern California, Irvine Woodbridge survived a late run by Brea Olinda to win the Southern Regional Division II championship, 53-49, Saturday at The Pond of Anaheim.

Woodbridge, which advanced to the Division II state final, March 17 at the Oakland Coliseum Arena, for the second consecutive year, ended Brea Olinda’s bid for its seventh consecutive appearance in a state final.

Brea Olinda has won five state championships in the past six years in various divisions. Earlier this season, however, Woodbridge ended the Wildcats’ 65-game winning streak, foreshadowing a tough rematch in the regional playoffs.

Woodbridge, the state’s top-ranked team, had a 40-35 lead after the third quarter, but Jennifer Saari made two three-point baskets and Kiyoko Miller made another to spark Brea on a 13-8 run over the first 5:43 of the fourth, tying the score, 48-48.

But that’s when Erin Stovall took charge. She made a layup, drawing a foul from Miller--her fifth--and made the free throw to complete a three-point play with 1:09 remaining.

Twelve seconds later, Stovall picked off a pass from Saari and made another layup to put the Warriors out of reach, 53-48.

In the final 57 seconds, Dawn Metz missed a layup and Lee Moulin missed a three-point attempt for Brea. Stovall fouled Rochelle Anthony with no time remaining, and Anthony made one of two free throws.

Mel Pearson led Woodbridge (32-1) with 20 points and eight rebounds, and Stovall contributed 14 points. Saari, who played despite a knee injury she sustained in the Southern Section final, led Brea (30-3) with 12 points.