Joens Sparks South Rally

Cathy Joens was named most valuable player Saturday at the 22nd Orange County All-Star basketball game, lifting the South to a 78-67 come-from-behind victory at Orange Coast College.

Joens, who averaged 23.2 points in her last six playoff games for Calvary Chapel and helped the Eagles reach the Division IV state final, scored 24 against the North all-stars. She averaged 16.1 during the regular season.

“She seems like the type of player who will adjust to the level of her opponent,” said Troy Coach Kevin Kiernan, who watched the North fall behind in the series, 15-7. “In a Division I setting [at George Washington], she will go right to a Division I level of play.

“She set the bar tonight.”

The South has won the last seven games in the series and avoided an embarrassing loss despite a wealth of talent; eight of 12 South players are headed to universities on scholarship. Century’s Aprile Powell (Pomona) had 20 points and 13 rebounds, El Toro’s Gioconda Mendiola (Washington) had 17 points, five assists and three steals and San Clemente’s Debby Caine (UC Santa Barbara) had 12 points and four assists.

The upset-minded North took a 39-27 halftime lead behind three-point baskets by Loara’s Carrie Bannister (two), Canyon’s Meghan O’Neill and Esperanza’s Allison Gerber (Loyola Marymount).

Mendiola and Joens triggered the comeback, scoring nine apiece early in the second half to tie the score at 50.

Joens scored six in a 14-2 run as the South finally overtook the North, 71-61.