Buena Avoids a Royal Bid for an Upset

Courtney LaVere scored 16 points and Buena High converted key free throws down the stretch to beat Royal, 53-47, in a nonleague girls’ basketball game Tuesday night at Royal.

The Bulldogs (5-0), ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times, made 10 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter, outscoring Royal, 19-7. The Highlanders (3-2), who led, 40-34, at the end of the third quarter, made one of eight free throws during the final quarter.

Kelly Murray scored 13 points for Buena, making seven of eight free throws during the final eight minutes, and Kelly Greathouse had 11 rebounds.

Teresa Russell of Royal, who was double-teamed by LaVere, a 6-foot-2 freshman, and Greathouse, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, had 11 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Kristen Galbraith scored 11 points for the Highlanders.

Crescenta Valley 43, Hart 33--Sinnamonn Garrett had 16 points for the Falcons Valley in a nonleague victory at Hart.

The Falcons (6-0) are ranked second in The Times’ regional poll.

Hart (2-4) made only 13 of 29 free throws, seven of 15 in the fourth quarter. Tiana Jameson had 11 points for the Indians.

Kennedy 52, Van Nuys 37--Jovan Smith had 16 points and six steals for the Golden Cougars in a nonleague victory at Kennedy (3-0).

Grant 53, San Fernando 41--Alexis Weatherspoon made eight of 15 shots and finished with 19 points, six rebounds and five steals for the Lancers (5-4) in a first-round victory in the San Fernando tournament.

El Camino Real 62, Saugus 55--Christina Aguinaga scored 11 of the Conquistadores’ 15 first-quarter points and finished with 21 in an intersectional victory at El Camino Real.

Cara Blumfield added 17 points for the Conquistadores (5-2).

Lexi Phelps scored 18 points for Saugus (4-3).

Eagle Rock 37, Poly 35--Loretta Bolongaita missed a 10-foot shot at the buzzer and the Parrots dropped to 0-3 in a first-round game of the San Fernando tournament. Norma Flores had 12 points, all on three-pointers, for Poly.

Moorpark 43, Oxnard 38--After a slow first half that saw the Musketeers trailing, 19-17, they switched to a full-court press to take control of a nonleague game at Moorpark.

Damaris Hinojosa had 23 points, 18 rebounds and six assists for Moorpark (6-1), which is ranked sixth in the region by The Times.

Burbank 31, Highland 30--Natiel Avancey’s steal and driving basket with 17 seconds left gave the Bulldogs (3-5) a victory at Highland (5-6).