A Not-So-Great Night : Buena, Greathouse Out on Technicality

Referee Shell Brown might not have been known to fans of Buena High prior to Thursday night’s Southern California Regional Division I semifinal.

But his name will live in infamy among Bulldog supporters after Brown’s controversial technical foul call on Nicole Greathouse played a major role in Narbonne’s stunning 60-55 victory at Buena, ending the Bulldogs’ quest for their first state title since 1984.

Trailing, 50-43, with 5:11 left, Buena narrowed its deficit to 50-47 with three minutes remaining on consecutive baskets by Greathouse.

But as the 6-foot-2 senior center pumped her arms in celebration while running down the court, Brown whistled her for a technical that combined with her four personal fouls to disqualify her.

Narbonne’s Patrice Barnes hit one of two free throws to give the Gauchos (24-5) a 51-47 lead, and they extended the advantage to 55-47 before Buena scored with 28 seconds left.

“I never had a technical before in my entire life,” Greathouse said after scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds. “I guess he thought I was talking to one of their girls, but I didn’t say anything.

“I was just happy that I had made the shot and that we had narrowed the score.”

Buena Coach Joe Vaughan saw it the same way Greathouse did.

“I thought she was celebrating,” he said. “In order to make that call, there has to be taunting involved. And I’ll bet you that after looking at the film, she wasn’t talking to anyone.”

Even Narbonne Coach James Anderson, whose team will play Crenshaw in the regional final at The Pond in Anaheim on Saturday, said it was a bad call.

The Gauchos forced Buena (27-3), the Southern Section Division I-A champion, into 21 turnovers, and made seven of eight free throws in the last 33 seconds.

“We’re just happy to be going to The Pond,” Anderson said. “To come in here and beat this team on their court is a great, great victory for this program. It’s definitely the biggest win since I’ve been there.”

Narbonne, which suffered a 20-point loss to Crenshaw in the City Section 4-A Division final last Friday, turned the ball over on four of its first five possessions after Greathouse fouled out, but Buena couldn’t take advantage of the miscues.

The Bulldogs committed three turnovers and missed both shots they attempted during their next five possessions.

After that, Narbonne sophomore Jessica Cheeks, who had 24 points, made seven of eight free throws.

Sophomore Kelly Murray scored 16 points for the Bulldogs and junior Renae Hofmann had nine, but the turnovers did in Buena.

“We played out hearts out, but what can you do,” Greathouse said. “They were a good team. They played good defense, but we just didn’t play well. We beat ourselves.”