Another Blowout for Buena

Nine teams have tried and none have matched up to the Buena High girls’ basketball team.

Not even close.

San Jose Archbishop Mitty was the latest to be left in devastation by a freight train that appears to be gaining speed daily.

The Bulldogs routed Archbishop Mitty, 65-46, on Thursday night in the semifinals of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions Invitational Division at UC Santa Barbara.

These were the same Monarchs (3-1) who advanced to the state Division I semifinals last season.

For Buena, ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPN, this was a close game.

The Bulldogs (9-0) have an average margin of victory of 39 points, 24 points in this tournament that includes some of the state’s elite teams.

“We don’t purposely beat up on everybody,” junior center Courtney LaVere said. “We’re just playing our game.”

On Thursday, LaVere battled stomach problems and scored only two points.

It didn’t matter.

Forward Kelly Greathouse, bound for North Carolina State, had 32 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Tennessee-bound guard Courtney Young had 21 points, six assists and four steals.

The Bulldogs led by as many as 24 points and their starting five outscored the Monarchs’ starters, 57-27.

Khaliah Daniels scored 17 points off the bench for Archbishop Mitty. Monique Coquilla had 10.

Just how good is Buena?

“We’ll find out [today],” Coach Joe Vaughan said.

The Bulldogs face defending Southern Section Division II-AA champion Redondo Union (5-2), a surprise 55-52 winner over Lynwood, tonight at 7:30 for the championship.

But Buena thought it had tough challenges before.

There was Hart, perennial Foothill League power. A 75-28 rout. There was Ventura, a Channel League rival which took two of three games last season from Buena. An 82-51 runaway. There was traditional Division I power Chino Hills Ayala. A 78-40 laugher.

“Everything just seems to be clicking right now,” Greathouse said.

And, as the Bulldogs march on, they try not to notice they are ranked anywhere from No. 1 to No. 16 in the most recognized national polls.

“You can’t,” Greathouse said. “They’re all opinion. No one person has seen everyone play to make a good judgment.”