Narbonne Moves Past Wilson, 70-40

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 of the state tournament.

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 enjoyed a sizable rebounding advantage over the shorter Bruins, who didn’t have a player taller than 5-foot-10.

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.

The defense created problems for McCullouch, who scored 14 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter after the outcome was already decided.

“I think our defense against the point guard was a key,” Narbonne Coach James Anderson said.

Lisa Willis finished with 15 points and six rebounds and Loree Moore had 12 points for Narbonne.

After being ineligible for the playoffs last season, Narbonne is closing in on its goal of a Division I state title.

But Anderson said regardless of what happens the rest of the way, he is happy with what his team has accomplished.

“We’re proud the be No. 1 in the country and we’d love to win a [mythical] national championship,” he said. “But I don’t want the kids holding their heads down if they should lose. We’ve already answered a lot of questions.”

Wilson struggled from the start and the problems for the Bruins only multiplied before the end of the first half.

Narbonne scored the first 12 points and forced seven turnovers in the first five minutes.

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. The score was tied, 46-46, at the end of regulation and, 48-48, at the end of the first overtime. Hanford made 15 of 34 free throws and shot 24 foul shots in the second half and overtime periods.

Laconia Hatcher scored 11 points and Alisha Gardner and Andrea Adams each had 10 for Lynwood (27-6). The Knights made 12 of 13 free throws and shot two foul shots in the second half and overtime periods.