Close Not Enough for North Hollywood

North Hollywood High has lost four girls’ basketball games, and three have come by a combined eight points.

Two were in overtime.

The Huskies lost to Crossroads, 71-68, in overtime Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Bell-Jeff tournament.

“You play close games and, if at some time in the playoffs you win one by one point, you gladly trade those three losses,’ Coach Rich Allen said.

All-City forward Markia Derby scored 27 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, and North Hollywood (8-4) rallied from a 60-50 deficit to tie it, 63-63, at the end of regulation.

Sharon Yamauchi hit a three-point basket early in overtime to give Crossroads the lead for good, 66-65.

Tashean Thomas scored 15 points and Angelle Hill added 14 for the Huskies.

Michelle More scored 25 points and Courtney Young had 21 before each fouled out in the fourth quarter for Crossroads (11-1).

Earlier this season, the Huskies suffered a two-point overtime loss to Crescenta Valley, ranked No. 2 in the region by The Times, and fell to Washington, a City Section power, by three in regulation.

Crossroads’ victory sets up an intriguing championship game match-up Saturday between Young, considered by many the best sophomore in the state, and senior Damaris Hinojosa of Moorpark, The Times’ Ventura County player of the year who has committed to Pepperdine.

Hinojosa had 19 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and six steals in the Musketeers’ 63-51 victory over St. Monica in the other semifinal.

North Hollywood will play St. Monica (9-3) for third place.

Kristin Nadas added 16 points for Moorpark (10-1), which overcame a 14-point second-quarter deficit.

In other Bell-Jeff tournament games:

Valencia 58, La Canada 49--Sophomore Stephanie Patterson had 16 points and freshman Holly Feneht scored 13 for the Vikings (7-6) in a consolation victory.

Lindsey Fujimoto scored 17 and Courtney Adams added 13 points for the Spartans (10-3).

El Camino Real 64, Glendale 55--Cara Blumfield scored 17 points, while Chrissy McClain and Karen Shun each scored 14 for the Conquistadores (10-4) in a consolation victory.

Stephanie Sabins had 17 points and Mania Houspian scored 15 for Glendale (10-4).

Royal 52, Burroughs 42--Mari Myllykoski scored 18 points and Kristen Galbreath added 13 for the Highlanders (5-4) in a consolation victory.

Gracie Coronado and Esther Thomson each scored 12 for the Indians (6-8).

Hueneme 62, West Torrance 12--Tina Seui scored 17 points and Kristina Tobolarova added 13 for the Vikings (6-6) in a consolation victory.