Newbury Park’s Win Has Deeper Meaning

Basketball games are viewed as endurance tests at Newbury Park High.

Forget about set offenses, zone defenses or other such strategies.

The team with the most stamina wins.

Newbury Park outlasted visiting Antelope Valley, 62-53, in a Southern Section Division II-A girls’ quarterfinal game Wednesday.

The No. 3-seeded Panthers (24-4) rotated 13 players against Antelope Valley’s top seven players, but couldn’t shake the Golden League champions.

“When you get this deep in the playoffs, nobody’s going to get tired and fold on you,” said Coach Nori Parvin of Newbury Park.

The Antelopes (21-5) trailed, 40-35, at halftime and cut the difference to 42-41 late in the third quarter.

“But we just couldn’t get over the hump,” said Coach April Davenport, whose team won its first league title since 1988 and climbed to No. 7 in The Times’ regional rankings.

One reason for the turnaround was junior guard Crystal McCutcheon, who averaged more than 20 points per game.

Facing several fresh Panther defenders, McCutcheon made only three of 15 shots and finished with nine points. She also had nine steals, 10 assists and six rebounds.

Jacquana Young scored 16 points and Sheena Crenshaw and Juanita Newsome each added 12 points.

“They were a little faster and in better shape than most teams we’ve played,” said Cassandra Harris of Newbury Park, who had 17 points.

Newbury Park won its region-best 19th consecutive game despite a dwindling roster. Starters Bridget Harris and Nancy Pabon, who suffered recent leg injuries, watched in street clothes alongside crutches at the end of the bench.

Their replacements, Jamie Dirksing and Oli Keohohou, combined for 25 points. Dirksing scored eight of her 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Alex Mallen scored 10 points and Rachel Hever added eight.

Newbury Park made 23 of 73 shots. The Antelopes were 21 for 66.

The Panthers will meet either No. 2-seeded La Puente Bishop Amat or Laguna Hills on Saturday in a semifinal at a neutral site.

It will be Newbury Park’s third semifinal appearance in seven seasons. Newbury Park won the Division III-A title in 1995.

Harris underwent knee surgery last week and is out for the season. Pabon will have a sprained calf muscle examined again and could play Saturday.

“We could lose three more players and still have plenty of depth,” Cassandra Harris said.

Antelope Valley was 9-28 during Davenport’s first two seasons as coach before posting its best season in more than 20 seasons.

“I’m very proud of what our team has done,” said McCutcheon. “But it’s still not enough.”

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HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF SCORES

SOUTHERN SECTION

Round of 16

Division I-AA

Camarillo 35, Murrieta Valley 33

Westminster 58, Oxnard 52

Division I-A

Cerritos 72, Buena 62

Santa Barbara 50, Ventura 48

Division II-AA

La Quinta 46, Agoura 37

Norco 61, Littlerock 50

Division V-AA

Pacific Hills 65, Montclair Prep 48

Western Christian 52, Santa Clara 42

St. Anthony 62, Buckley 59

Chadwick 40, Grace Brethren 31

Brethren Christian 41, Campbell Hall 29

Quarterfinals

Division II-A

Newbury Park 62, Antelope Valley 53

Division III-AA

Alemany 81, Ganesha 69

Harvard-Westlake 51, Corona del Mar 27

Division IV-AA

Oak Park 50, St. Mary’s Academy 46

Division IV-A

St. Bernard 74, Village Christian 33

Division V-A

Price 44, Santa Clarita Christian 25

CITY SECTION

Quarterfinals

Championship

Narbonne 85, Grant 47

Chatsworth 44, South Gate 39

Invitational

Dorsey 53, Birmingham 46

Marshall 45, Reseda 32

* Roundup and box scores of Wednesday’s games.

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