Calvary Chapel Off to Good Start

Those who penciled in Calvary Chapel as the Olympic League favorite with the arrival of transfer Cathy Joens had good reason.

Joens, playing for the first time against Cerritos Valley Christian--which has won five of the last six Southern Section titles in its division--had 11 rebounds and five steals to help Calvary Chapel score a 41-28 girls’ basketball victory over the Crusaders.

It was Valley Christian’s first league loss since a 1995 setback to Orange Lutheran, and only the second since the 1991 season.

But if Joens (six points), who transferred to Calvary from Woodbridge, made the Eagles (13-3, 1-0 in league) a better team, she was not without help on Thursday. Christy Ring finished with 12 points (and four steals), including eight in the final 3 minutes 18 seconds at Calvary Chapel.

But it was two lesser-known players who did some real damage to Valley Christian (11-5). Vanessa Lindsay’s steal and only basket, an eight-foot jumper off the glass, sparked a 13-2 run over the final 4:06. Included was a layup by Shanna Fabre (five points) ending a 45-second span during which Calvary’s lead went from four to 10 points, 36-26.

It all resulted in what Coach Russ McClurg called the school’s best victory in his four years as coach. It’s the school’s first over Valley Christian as the Eagles try to win their first league title.

“It’s so emotional,” McClurg said. “It’s a great win, but we can’t rest.”

There was still room for improvement, certainly. Calvary Chapel committed 25 turnovers, but was more efficient than Valley Christian when it shot, making 17 of 46 (36.9%).

Valley Christian converted only 12 of 54 (22.2%) from the field, with only 12 offensive rebounds.

Middlebrook, a senior who transferred to Valley Christian from Brea Olinda for her junior year, led the Crusaders with 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals. She and Joens guarded each other throughout.

But while Middlebrook (five-for-15 shooting) had only four teammates break into the scoring column against Calvary Chapel’s man-to-man defense--a change from its usual zone--Joens (three for 13) had eight teammates score.