Royal Uses Late Run, Beats Crescenta Valley

It wasn’t pretty, but it was pretty exciting.

Royal High’s 55-53 victory over Crescenta Valley on Wednesday night featured eight lead changes and two ties in the fourth quarter before the Highlanders advanced to the Thousand Oaks tournament final.

Royal (9-3) scored eight consecutive points during a 47-second span late in the game to break a 45-45 tie.

Jamie Blanck scored two baskets during the rally, Leticia Saldain had another and Kristen Galbreath made two free throws after a Crescenta Valley technical foul.

“These girls are finding ways to win,” said Coach Mike Kohl, whose team made only 18 of 53 shots. “They’re a fun team to coach because of that.”

Galbreath scored 19 points for the Highlanders, ranked No. 7 in the region by The Times. Blanck added 12 points.

The key to the victory?

“It’s all a matter of hustle and free throws,” said Galbreath, who made seven of eight from the line in the fourth quarter.

Royal set up an all-Marmonte League final, with the Highlanders playing Westlake tonight at 8 for the championship.

No. 8 Crescenta Valley (9-4) rallied from a 24-10 second-quarter deficit despite an off night by Sinnamonn Garrett, a two-time All-Valley selection.

The New Mexico State-bound guard missed her first 10 shots, not making her first field goal until early in the fourth quarter. Garrett finished with 15 points on four-for-19 shooting.

The rest of the Falcons weren’t much better, making only 15 of 44 shots. Their guards missed 10 of 12 shots in the first half, allowing Royal’s defense to sag inside on Garrett.

“Our No. 1 goal was to stop Garrett,” Galbreath said. “We figured if we could stop her, we’d win.”

Kristie Umemoto scored 11 points and Laura Zerebko added nine for the Falcons, who play Camarillo tonight at 6:30. for third place.

In other tournament games:

Westlake 51, Thousand Oaks 34--The score was tied, 12-12, after the first quarter, but the Warriors outscored Thousand Oaks, 38-12, over the next 19 minutes to claim the other semifinal.

Tawny Thorp scored 16 points and Lottie Kanama contributed 10 for Westlake (7-3).

Camarillo 53, Rio Mesa 27--Lauren Ferreira scored 14 points for Camarillo (8-5), which outscored the Spartans (3-7), 24-9, in the second half.

El Camino Real 57, Hueneme 50--Karen Shun scored 23 points and Christina Aguinaga added 18 for the Conquistadores (6-4) in a consolation game.

El Camino Real plays Taft today at 3 p.m. for the consolation championship.

Christina Harmeson had 23 points for Hueneme (2-9).

Taft 66, Saugus 58--Denisha McCoy had 27 points and Lisa Hawkins had 16 for Taft (7-2).

Julia Bradley scored 17 points for Saugus (4-7).