A Fresh Face Helps Notre Dame Defeat Glendora for Title, 57-54

At a time when seniors are expected to shine, it was freshman Sierra Hauser-Price who came through for Notre Dame High on Saturday night in the championship game of the Valencia girls’ basketball tournament.

Hauser-Price sank two free throws with 13 seconds remaining and grabbed a clinching rebound as the Knights overcame a seven-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to stun previously unbeaten Glendora, 57-54, at Valencia High.

“She’s been big for us the whole tournament,” Notre Dame Coach Keith Case said of Hauser-Price, who scored 13 points and was selected the tournament’s most valuable player.

After Denise Spangler’s layup gave Notre Dame (5-1) a 55-54 lead, Hauser-Price forced a Glendora turnover, drew a foul and sank both free throws.

“I think it came down to heart,” Case said. “Our girls just wanted it so bad.”

The lead changed hands 12 times in the second half before Glendora (5-1) went on a 7-2 run to gain a 52-45 advantage with 2:05 remaining. But the Knights forced six turnovers and allowed two points from then on.

“We have a lot of confidence in the fourth quarter,” Case said. “Our team is so deep. We just keep coming and keep coming, and that just wears our opponents down.”

Eleven players scored for Notre Dame, which trailed, 31-30, at halftime.

Michelle Barraza and Liz Gosalvez, who were both chosen to the all-tournament team, scored nine and seven points, respectively, for the Knights. Gosalvez also had eight assists.

Julia Washington scored 19 points for the Tartans and was also chosen to the all-tournament team.

Littlerock 55, Glendale 50--Lizette Rams scored 17 points, including a pair of free throws with 43 seconds remaining in overtime, to clinch third place for the Lobos (4-2).

All-tournament selection Carrie Miller added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Littlerock, which led, 24-19, at halftime.

“You like to play tight games like this in tournaments,” Littlerock Coach Tom Hegre said. “That way, you have played a few close games by the time league [play] starts.”

Pola Aghakhanians scored 17 points, made six steals and earned all-tournament honors for the Dynamiters (4-3).

Canyon 85, Lancaster 60--Netta Garcia came off of the bench to score 30 points with 10 rebounds and seven steals for the Cowboys (3-4) in the fifth-place game.

“She’s our best shooter in practice,” Canyon Coach Paul Broneer said of the 5-foot-5 junior forward.

Team captain and all-tournament selection Cheryl Grucelski added 27 points and six assists for Canyon, which opened the second half with a 12-2 run.

Valencia 2, Antelope Valley 0--The Vikings (5-3) took the consolation game by forfeit when the Antelopes (2-5) didn’t show up.