It’s a Southern Sweep in Battle of All-Stars

Christina Mosesso of Simi Valley High scored eight consecutive points to give the Southern Section a 68-65 victory over the City on Saturday night in the Battle of the Valley girls’ all-star basketball game at Valley College.

According to most observers--including coaches from both sides--the Southern Section, with five players signed to Division I college basketball scholarships, was heavily favored to win over the City Section, which has just three.

But it wasn’t decided until Mosesso, who did not score prior to her finishing burst, made a three-point basket with three seconds left to break a 65-65 tie.

Seconds earlier, Mosesso made a layup on an inbounds play to tie the score, 65-65. Her three-pointer with 1:04 remaining pulled the Southern Section to within 65-63.

“You just have to have confidence in yourself,” said a subdued Mosesso. “It’s good for me. I just don’t show my emotions.”

Mosesso, as it happens, has experience in making game-winning three-pointers. She made one to give Simi Valley a one-point upset victory over Palmdale in the second round of the Southern Section Division I-AA playoffs last month.

“She knew what to do on the plays,” Coach Jim Couch of Bell-Jeff High said. “We only had one practice and she’s one of the ones who showed up.”

City Section Coach Cathi Cornell of Eagle Rock said the game plan was just to avoid a rout.

The Southern Section got out to a 12-2 lead as Deanna Bergeson of L.A. Baptist scored six points.

But the City Section closed the gap with an 18-7 run and took its first lead, 20-19, when Kennedy’s Monia Calhoun made a basket with 4:05 left in the half.

Vanessa Dunn of Kennedy had 16 points for the City but fouled out with 7:49 left.