Long Shot by North Falls Short

Jason Angel of Santa Clara High missed a three-point shot at the buzzer and the South escaped with a 103-100 victory over the North in the Ventura County Basketball Coaches Assn.’s Senior All-Star game on Saturday night at Ventura High.

Branduinn Fullove of Simi Valley sank two free throws with 17.5 seconds left to provide the South with its three-point edge.

Fullove had 19 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and four assists.

Todd Tomlinson of Moorpark scored 20 points for the South, including five three-pointers. He also buried 21 shots to win the three-point shooting contest at halftime, seven more than Adam Segal of Royal.

Ricky Hernandez of Oxnard scored 18 points for the North, Mike Keddington of Channel Islands added 15 and Angel and Eric Watkins of Hueneme each had 14.

The North led, 55-48, at halftime, but consecutive three-point baskets by Tomlinson gave the South its first lead, 64-63, midway through the third quarter.

The North responded with a 7-2 run and led, 76-71, going into the final 10-minute quarter.

Segal hit consecutive jumpers to tie the score, 95-95, with 2:26 left.

Fullove hit seven of nine free throws and also won the slam-dunk contest before the game.

North 105, South 39--Alex Gientke showed why she was selected Ventura County player of the year by scoring 19 points for the North in the girls’ game.

Monique Taylor of Channel Islands, Kristine Gleisberg of Ventura and Kellie Erickson of Buena each scored 14 points for the North, coached by Glenn Gray III of Ventura.

“We came in pretty excited because we knew it was going to be our last high school game and we just clicked well together,” said Gientke, a 5-10 guard from Ventura High who has accepted a scholarship to Santa Clara. “We played against each other all season, and it was fun to be on the same team for once.

“We only practiced twice, and it was mostly full-court, five-on-five, and we only ran one offense.”

The North forced 15 turnovers in the first half en route to a 49-21 lead.

Erickson hit four three-pointers. No surprise, since she won the three-point contest by draining 14 long-range shots in the one-minute time limit.

Oli Keohohou of Newbury Park had 12 points and four assists for the South, coached by Ellen Blackmun of Calabasas.

The South scored its 15 first-quarter points on three-pointers, and was outscored, 32-4, in the third quarter.