GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS / DIVISION I-A

Riverside North (26-3) vs. Troy (27-3)

8:15 TONIGHT LONG BEACH STATE PYRAMID

Division I-A is the section’s toughest. If second-seeded Troy is to win its first title, it needs another emotional effort like the one it used to defeat Chino Don Lugo a week ago. The Warriors’ strength is defense, headed by Veronica Johns-Richardson and Katie Hardeman, who has averaged 15.8 points in the playoffs in addition to shutting down opponents’ top scorers. This time, she faces Shandrika Lee, one of six Huskies who average double digits in scoring. Like Troy, top-seeded North has a high-pressure defense that can yield easy baskets. Both teams like to press, and with opposing defenses of such high quality, composure could tell the tale.

KEY PLAYERS

North

G Shandrika Lee, Sr.

14.9 pts., 96 steals

G Shannon Mathews, Jr.

10.2 pts., 4.4 steals

C Keisha Moore, Jr.

13.0 pts., 7.8 rebs.

Troy

F Katie Hardeman, Sr.

12.1 pts., 4.2 asts.

G V. Johns-Richardson, Jr.

18.8 pts., 6.9 asts.

F Amanda Livingston, Fr.

7.5 pts., 7.8 rebs.