Buena Girls’ One Day in the Valley Is Enough

So, you come here often?

In Buena High’s case, the answer was no, not for 18 years.

On Saturday night, the Bulldogs made their first trip to the San Fernando Valley since 1982.

They left much like many tourists, clutching their their hearts--thankful to escape with their wallets and with one heck of a story to tell the folks back home.

“We got out of here with our lives,” Coach Joe Vaughan said after a 51-46 nonleague victory over Harvard-Westlake. “Just barely.”

It’s not often a hunter can lure such big game into his backyard. Harvard-Westlake had the state’s all-time winningest program in its sights, playing in a slow-paced, sluggish game.

But Courtney Young of Buena took control of a game that entered the fourth quarter tied, 36-36, scoring 13 of her 21 points to lead her team to victory.

“A lot of people didn’t think we could come close to Buena,” said guard Brooke Porter of Harvard-Westlake. “I’m proud that we played them so tough, but when you’re in a game like that and it’s that close, playing somebody tough isn’t the ultimate goal. You start to want to win.”

It was a game that could come to define the entire season for Buena (12-4), ranked No. 2 in the region by The Times, and No. 5 Harvard-Westlake (12-5).

Buena, with enough talent to warrant a No. 7 preseason national ranking, did just enough to keep from setting a school mark for most losses in a season. The Bulldogs have since fallen to No. 25 in the nation.

Harvard-Westlake (12-5), stung by graduation and injuries, continued to overachieve, at times looking every bit as good as the Wolverine team that advanced to the state Division III final last season.

“We’ve been getting better every game,” said Coach Brian Taylor of Harvard-Westlake. “I certainly can’t be unhappy with our effort tonight.”

Porter scored 18 points, L’Tanya Robnett had 14 points and Chantal Kazay added 10 for the Wolverines, who pulled to within 45-44 with 80 seconds left.

Courtney LaVere’s rebound basket after Kelly Greathouse’s miss extended Buena’s lead to 47-44 with 56 seconds left, and Young made four free throws in the closing seconds.

Greathouse finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. LaVere had five points and nine rebounds.

Young, who had nine rebounds and five steals, defeated the Wolverines for the third time in two seasons. She played at Crossroads last season, where she was a sophomore All-American.

Vaughan recorded the 596th victory of his career, a state record for the coach in his 25th season.

Under Vaughan, the Bulldogs have never lost more than four games in a season, a mark that figures to change this season, unless Buena can march unbeaten to the state Division I championship.

But things aren’t totally clicking for the Bulldogs.

“[Saturday night] I thought, ‘This can’t be us,’ ” Vaughan said. “We did some very uncharacteristic stuff. . . . We’re still not in sync yet.”

Things are coming around for Harvard-Westlake, which plays Alemany on Monday night in a key Mission League game.

The Wolverines, who lost All-Southern Section post player Rolake Bamgbose to a preseason knee injury, are moving forward.

With Kazay, a 6-foot transfer from Louisville, and 6-2 sophomore Terbrie Taylor, Harvard-Westlake has the size to match up with most teams.

With Robnett and Porter, who combined for seven three-point baskets against Buena, the outside game was never in question.