Free Throws Key in Stretch for Buena

Ventura Buena made four of six free throws in the final 40 seconds to defeat La Crescenta Crescenta Valley, 59-55, in the Southern Section Division I-A championship game Friday at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

Buena center Nicole Greathouse scored six of her 18 points during a 10-0 Bulldog run to open the second half as Buena took (24-2) a 47-32 lead over Crescenta Valley (28-3).

Burbank Bell-Jeff 47, Cerritos Valley Christian 45--Jaclyn Johnson made a 15-foot jump shot at the buzzer to give Bell-Jeff (29-1) its first Division IV-A title.

It was Bell-Jeff’s first section championship in any sport since the school opened in 1944. Valley Christian (26-3) was a five-time defending divisional champion.

Cheryl Flores had 15 points to lead the Guards. Sarah Middlebrooke scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Valley Christian.

Pilgrim 38, Santa Maria Valley Christian 35--Gina Nicholson had 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Patriots (24-4) in the V-A final.

Crenshaw 73, Narbonne 53--Danielle Rainey’s offense and her teammates’ strong defensive pressure led Crenshaw in the City Section Division 4-A girls’ championship game in front of an estimated 2,500 at the Sports Arena.

Rainey scored 28 points in 25 minutes and teammate Naila Moseley scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds and had five steals to lead the Cougars (23-3).