Brea Olinda Extends Dominance to Decade

Brea Olinda won its 10th consecutive Southern Section girls’ basketball title Friday, defeating third-seeded Troy, 52-37, at the Pyramid.

Though Brea (29-1), ranked No. 1 in the state and top-seeded in Division II-AA, won in a runaway, the Ladycats actually trailed in the third quarter.

That’s when Brea changed from its pressing defense to a zone. The Ladycats paid the price immediately when Heidi Hardeman (seven points) made a three-point shot from the corner to give Troy a 26-21 lead.

But then Brea went on a 20-point run to take command of the game behind Lindsey Davidson (11 points), Jeri Costello (six points), Kate Ides (11 points) and Chelsea Trotter (10 points).

Trotter, Brea’s 6-foot-2 sophomore forward, had missed her first four shots of the game as Brea tried to pound the ball inside. But she scored off a pass from Davidson.

“My confidence soared after the first basket,” said Trotter, who finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.[At halftime], it was unbelievable. I was blown away we were trailing.”

The task facing Brea now is to go beyond the Southern California Regional final. Since winning its national championship during its undefeated season in 1993-94--and claiming its fifth state title--the Ladycats have not returned to the season’s final game.

Instead, they have ended a game short.