Garrett Stays, Makes Falcons Go

When Sinnamonn Garrett transfers to Harvard-Westlake High, the Wolverines will automatically become the favorite for the state Division III girls’ basketball title.

If, on the other hand, Garrett chooses North Hollywood, the Huskies might have a shot at winning the City 4-A championship.

Garrett has heard all the rumors.

“I don’t know where people get all this stuff,” said Garrett, a two-time All-Pacific League forward at Crescenta Valley.

“I just want to say for the record that Sinnamonn Garrett is staying at Crescenta Valley for her junior and seniors years. I’m not going anywhere.”

Actually, Garrett and the Falcons are heading into the semifinals of the Bell-Jeff girls’ summer basketball tournament tonight at 6:30.

Crescenta Valley defeated Simi Valley, 39-28, on Wednesday to earn a meeting with powerhouse Chino Hills Ayala.

Garrett scored 20 of her team’s first 30 points and had 10 rebounds, helping the Falcons overcome a 12-5 first-quarter deficit.

She finished with 22 points.

Elise Metcalf scored eight points and Crystal Sutton added seven for Simi Valley, which played without All-Ventura County guard Jamie Sturdivant, who has an ankle injury, and guard Anna Geres, who was out of town.

“Missing a few guards makes a difference,” said Simi Valley Coach Dave Murphy, whose team committed 17 turnovers.

Crescenta Valley, 13-3 this summer, faces an Ayala team that is seeking its seventh tournament title of the summer and has a 64-1 record.

“We love challenges,” Crescenta Valley Coach Damian Scribner said.

Ayala, which has claimed recent double-digit victories over state Division II champion Brea Olinda and Division IV champion St. Bernard, routed Fontana, 74-31, in the quarterfinals.

The games consisted of four six-minute quarters.

In other tournament games:

Moorpark 39, Bell Gardens 37--The Musketeers, playing without Damaris Hinojosa, Ventura County player of the year, overcame a 31-26 fourth-quarter deficit in another quarterfinal.

Kristin Nadas and Kelly Geis each scored seven points for Moorpark, which will play Morningside tonight at 7:40 in the other semifinal.

The victory was the 20th in 21 summer games for the Musketeers. Their only loss was to Ayala.

Morningside 55, Oxnard 36--Esther Martinez scored 15 points for the Yellowjackets, who lost in a quarterfinal game.

Kamisha Bell scored 22 points and Nicole Ingram added 15 for Morningside, which advanced to the Southern Section Division III-A championship game last year.

The Monarchs, seeking their sixth Bell-Jeff title since 1986, led, 31-9, at halftime.

Burroughs 38, Eagle Rock 35--Angela Punaro’s bank shot with 1:04 left in overtime broke a 35-35 tie in a consolation game.

Amy Feola added 13 points for Burroughs, which meets Foothill League rival Canyon today, with the winner advancing to the consolation final.

Canyon 41, Immaculate Heart 26--Latricia Fleming scored 14 points and Leanne Suenaka added nine points for the Cowboys, who outscored Immaculate Heart, 27-13, in the second half.

Valencia 52, Chaminade 23--Emilie Dearborn, Stephanie Patterson and Carly Stirling each scored 11 points for Valencia in a consolation game.

Cynthia Lai scored seven points for Chaminade.

Crossroads 48, Bell-Jeff 25--Christina Smith scored 11 points for Crossroads, which pulled away by holding Bell-Jeff to nine points in the second half.

Ana Coronado had eight points for Bell-Jeff.