Calvary Chapel Moves Step Closer to Goal

Calvary Chapel won its first Southern Section title last weekend and the Eagles continued their quest for their first state championship Thursday, posting a 63-52 victory over Morro Bay in a Southern California Division IV girls’ basketball playoff game at Calvary Chapel.

Cathy Joens had 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists and point guard Marcene Guerrero had 14 points and six assists for top-seeded Calvary Chapel (27-5), which advanced to the Southern California final to play La Jolla Bishop’s Saturday at San Diego State’s Cox Arena.

Morro Bay, the Southern Section Division IV-AA champion, ended 22-8.

“It’s been our goal all year to take it all,” Guerrero said.

Calvary Chapel’s defense and rebounding set the tone. The Eagles outrebounded the Pirates, 41-16, and Morro Bay finished with only two offensive rebounds.

Still, Morro Bay tried to make it interesting in the third quarter. Sandy Anderson (11 points) made two three-pointers in the quarter and Leanne Jensen (15 points) also helped Morro Bay pull within 11. Then Joens took over.

Joens scored seven points in a 36-second span to help the Eagles take an 18-point lead into the fourth quarter.

After Joens scored on a three-point play, following a Morro Bay miss, she took an outlet pass and weaved her way up court for a layup. Then, Joens made a steal, dribbled behind her back, spun to the basket and scored on a layup to make it 45-27 with 1 minute 28 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Guerrero gave the Eagles a first-half spark. She scored 12 of her 14 points, had five of her six assists, and made five of her first six shots to help Calvary Chapel take a 17-point halftime lead.

“Guerrero was incredible,” Calvary Chapel Coach Russ McClurg said. “That’s the best I’ve seen her play all year.”

And the rest of the Eagles pitched in, too. Shayna Fabre had 11 points and six rebounds, Lindsey Richelli had a team-high 10 rebounds, and T.J. Gause had nine points.

“Things weren’t clicking at the beginning of the year,” Guerrero said. “But everything is falling into place now. We’re playing as a team. This is awesome.”