Golden West Advances to Title Game

Golden West, the state’s top-ranked volleyball team, advanced to today’s state championship with a 17-15, 15-17, 15-12, 15-10 victory over second-ranked Saddleback at Golden West High School in Visalia.

Saddleback (23-5) has lost its five matches to Golden West (26-0) this season, but can earn another rematch with a victory in the losers’ bracket final today.

Meghan Coolbaugh finished with 20 kills and Charnette Fair added 16 for Golden West, which trailed, 13-9, in the first game before rallying.

Gina Stivers had 21 kills for Saddleback, which trailed, 9-2, in the second game but rallied to win and even the match before Golden West won the final two games.

In one winners’ bracket semifinal, Coolbaugh had 14 kills to help Golden West defeat Long Beach City, 15-9, 15-11, 15-8. In the other semifinal, Stivers had 20 kills to lead Saddleback past Reedley, 15-8, 15-6, 15-5.

In the Orange Coast Kiwanis men’s basketball tournament:

Long Beach 75, Orange Coast 60--Orange Coast rallied from a 15-point deficit in the second half to pull within 56-55, but Long Beach went on a 19-5 run to win the game and the tournament title. Schea Cotton scored 32 points for visiting Long Beach (11-0).

David Castleton had 13 points for Orange Coast (5-3).

Los Angeles Valley 68, Cypress 64--Chris Killens scored 17 points for the Chargers (4-6) in the third-place game.

In the Grossmont tournament:

Santa Ana 76, Southwestern 74--Mark Wulfemeyer’s three-pointer with one second remaining lifted Santa Ana (6-3) in the consolation final. Chris Mattice scored 20 points for the Dons and earned all-tournament honors.

In a nonconference game:

Cerritos 74, Fullerton 68--Lawrence Felder had 14 points for the Hornets (6-4).

In the Cuesta women’s basketball tournament final:

Orange Coast 53, Cuesta 43--Sarah Middlebrooke (12 points) and Leah Wilde (14 points) helped the Pirates put together an 8-0 run early in the second half to give the Pirates (10-0) control.

OCC’s Adria Sortino was named tournament MVP and teammate Natalie Weeks (12 points) also earned all-tournament honors.

In a nonconference game:

Golden West 84, Mt. San Jacinto 56--Tracy Downs had 22 points and 15 rebounds for Golden West (2-5), which outscored Mt. San Jacinto, 24-0, over the first 11 minutes of the second half.

Irvine Valley 81, Santa Monica 51--Phouangmaly Pravongviengkham had 20 points and eight assists for Irvine Valley (5-2).