Owens Leads Laguna Hills Past Valencia

Laguna Hills forward Shannon Owens went to the foul line more than the Valencia team and led her team to a 58-41 victory in the second round of the Southern Section Division II-A girls’ basketball playoffs Saturday at Laguna Hills.

Owens, a junior, shot 23 free throws, scoring 16 of her game-high 28 points for Laguna Hills (18-7). Valencia made 13 of 20 free throws as a team.

Owens converted eight of 10 free throws in the second half, as her team built on a five-point halftime lead up to 11 points at the end of the third quarter.

“My coaches make me take at least 50 free throws during practice,” said Owens. “I’m finally starting to make them.”

Owens was also a big key on defense, holding Valencia’s Monika Jackley to 11 points. Jackley was sixth in the county in scoring, averaging 19.3 a game.

Valencia (19-8), after making only one of 14 field goals in the first quarter, rallied from a 16-4 deficit to close within three after a 12-3 run in the second quarter, keyed by freshman reserve Paris Allen who scored eight of her team-high 13 points.

But the Hawks switched to a two-three zone defense and outscored Valencia, 15-9, in the third quarter, taking a 39-28 lead.

The Hawks will play top-seeded Bishop Amat, an 86-39 winner over Barstow.