Narbonne Rolls Past Long Beach Wilson

During its run through the playoffs, the Long Beach Wilson High girls’ basketball team made a habit of defeating higher-seeded opponents.

But it was clear from the start that it wasn’t going to happen again Friday night against Harbor City Narbonne.

Narbonne, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, opened a 12-0 lead in the first 4:07 and coasted to a 70-40 victory at Narbonne in the Division I semifinals of the Southern California Regional playoffs.

Narbonne will play Hanford, which defeated Lynwood, 57-52, in double-overtime Friday, in the regional final tonight at the Great Western Forum.

Wilson (30-5) had seven turnovers before Dawn McCullouch scored the Bruins’ first points on a layup with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter.

Wilson trailed, 23-6, by the end of the first quarter and the undefeated Gauchos (32-0) stretched their lead to 37 points midway through the fourth quarter.

“I think their biggest strength was their rebounding,” Wilson Coach Paula Clear said of Narbonne. “They’re very strong and they play great defense.”

Narbonne’s Ebony Hoffman, a 6-2 senior who has signed a letter of intent with USC, finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Narbonne, the City Section champion, also forced 27 turnovers with a steady stream of defensive pressure.

In the other Division I semifinal:

Hanford 57, Lynwood 52--Hanford made only five of 12 free throws in the second overtime, but Lynwood went scoreless in the final three minutes as Hanford won at home.

Shawntinice Polk scored 20 points and had 18 rebounds and six blocks for Hanford (32-3). Amy Parrish added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Laconia Hatcher scored 11 points and Alisha Gardner and Andrea Adams each had 10 for Lynwood (27-6).