Crescenta Valley Is Shot Down by Ayala, 43-20

Mel Sims, girls’ basketball coach at Ayala High, has a unique theory on shooting.

“It’s like throwing darts at balloons,” he said. “You throw enough and they’ll eventually pop.”

That philosophy, and one of the most talented rosters in the Southern Section, was more than enough to burst Crescenta Valley’s bubble Thursday night in the semifinals of the Bell-Jeff summer tournament.

Ayala made only 15 of 50 shots during the 24-minute game, but defeated the Falcons, 43-20, and has a 66-1 record this summer.

“They’re tremendous,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Damian Scribner, whose team spent much of the last high school season ranked No. 1 in Division I-AA. “You’d have to make them the favorite this year.’

Chantea Fleming scored 11 points and Ligaya Dozier added 10 for the Bulldogs, who will play Morningside tonight at 6:40 for the championship.

Sinnamonn Garrett scored 10 points for the Falcons, who fell to Ayala in the semifinals for the second consecutive year.

Last year, Ayala made 18 three-pointers to win in a rout.

The Bulldogs went on to make 218 three-point baskets during the season, tying Crescenta Valley’s Southern Section record.

This time, the Bulldogs made only five of 30 shots from long range, but it didn’t seem to bother them.

“I’d be happy if we put up 100 shots,” Sims said. “We have no conscience.”

In other tournament games:

Morningside 43, Moorpark 20--Playing again without Damaris Hinojosa, away at a travel ball tournament, Moorpark was unable to match up with the five-time Bell-Jeff tournament champion in the other semifinal.

Kamisha Bell scored 24 points and Acheve Barre added 15 for Morningside, the Southern Section Division III-A runner-up last season.

Bridgett DiPasquale, T.C. Plante and Cathleen Leaver each had four points for Moorpark.

Hinojosa, Ventura County player of the year, is scheduled to return to the team today for the 5:20 p.m. third-place game against Crescenta Valley.

Fontana 31, Simi Valley 29--Annmarie Turpin made two three-pointers in the final minute, when Simi Valley outscored the Steelers, 11-2, before falling in a consolation game.

Turpin finished with seven points.

Katrina Salas scored 13 points for Fontana, which will play Bell Gardens today at 4 p.m. for fifth place.

Bell Gardens 40, Oxnard 31--Carmen Meraz scored 13 points, Elizabeth Rivera added 11 and Bell Gardens made six of seven free throws to hold off the Yellowjackets in a consolation game.

Memory Rhone scored five of her nine points in the fourth quarter for Oxnard.

Canyon 40, Burroughs 34--Latricia Fleming collected 12 of her 16 points in the second half for Canyon, which scored the last six points in the game.

Janette Garcia added eight points for the Cowboys, who will face Crossroads today at 2:40 for the consolation championship.

Angela Punaro had nine points for Burroughs.

Crossroads 52, Valencia 44--Sophomore Marissa Meadows scored 15 points for Valencia, which was eliminated in a consolation game.

Tiffany Cave scored 13 points for Crossroads.

Chaminade 33, Bell-Jeff 20--Julie Cichon scored 16 points for Chaminade, which outscored the Guards, 13-4, in the fourth quarter of a consolation game.

Ana Coronado scored 11 points for Bell-Jeff.

Eagle Rock 25, Immaculate Heart 22--Ericka Weathersbee scored 19 points for Immaculate Heart, while Danielle Young scored 10 for Eagle Rock.