Woodbridge Reserves Have Fun in a Laugher

Woodbridge’s 80-46 victory over Lemoore in the first round of the Southern California Division II girls’ basketball playoffs Tuesday, may have been by rote for a group of veteran Warriors who are seeking their second consecutive state title. But there was nothing mundane about it for Romeena Constantino.

Constantino, a sophomore guard, averaged 15 points for the junior varsity this season before she was elevated to varsity for the playoffs. She stepped on the floor Tuesday for the first time in a varsity game in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

“I thought, ‘What am I going to do? Am I going to mess up? Will I not play smart?’ ” she said.

Constantino made a basket with 53 seconds remaining and the Woodbridge bench erupted in applause.

“I love it when people who don’t get to play very much get to play. It’s so much fun and I want everyone to be a part of that,” said starting forward Melanie Pearson, for whom playoff games are old-hat.

Pearson scored 18 points and Erin Stovall scored a game-high 23 to lead the Warriors.

In Thursday’s second round, Woodbridge (29-2) will play Santee Santana, a 75-54 winner over Bakersfield North.

With Woodbridge trailing, 4-0, Pearson made a basket and Stovall made a steal and another basket, drawing a foul and making a free throw to give Woodbridge the lead. Jennifer Anderson scored for Lemoore to make it 6-5 before Woodbridge went on a 13-1 run and never looked back.

Woodbridge opened a 21-point lead, 42-21, with 1:40 remaining in the half and Woodbridge Coach Pat Quinn began plugging in reserves.

“Everybody came in and did their job. They all know what they’re capable of doing,” Quinn said.

Woodbridge was happy to have a relaxing night at home after a difficult Southern Section II-AA victory Saturday over Riverside North at the Pyramid at Long Beach.

“We just wanted to get back into home base and play some good basketball,” Quinn said.

For Lemoore (21-8), Anderson scored 19 points, including four three-point baskets.