Brea’s Foul Play Ends in Defeat

Midway through the fourth quarter Monday, exasperated Brea Olinda Coach Jeff Sink turned to the scorer’s table and declared, “I’m never coming back here again.”

Then, he repeated himself.

All Sink would say about the officiating in Brea’s 63-57 loss to Copperas Cove (Texas) in the National Division semifinal in the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions was that it took his team out of its rhythm. But it wasn’t hard to read between the lines.

Brea (7-1), ranked No. 2 in the state, shot 52.1% from the field (to the Bulldogs’ 42.3%) and was whistled for more than twice as many fouls, 25-10. Brea was four for nine from the free-throw line, while Copperas Cove (17-1)--with 10 players back from last season’s Class 5A state semifinalist team--made 17 of 29.

Three Ladycats fouled out, Chelsea Trotter (16 points), Lindsey Davidson (13 points) and Jeri Costello (six points). Kate Ides (12 points, five for five from the field) missed the entire second quarter with three fouls.

Still, Brea led until two minutes remained in the third quarter despite playing tentatively and losing the battle of the boards, 36-25. The Ladycats fell behind by five but trailed just 54-53 with 2:09 remaining. Stephanie Rice responded with a basket off her rebound--Copperas Cove’s only field goal in the last five minutes--which interrupted a stretch of nine for 12 free-throw shooting.

Brea plays Harbor City Narbonne at 5:30 p.m. today for third place.