Three Teams State Their Cases

Three girls’ basketball teams from the region can clinch state playoff berths tonight with Southern Section playoff victories.

In most cases, only division finalists qualify for the state playoffs, but since Division III has only one bracket, the four semifinalists will all be invited.

That leaves Harvard-Westlake, Chaminade and La Canada needing quarterfinal victories tonight.

Harvard-Westlake is no surprise. The Wolverines (23-5) cruised unbeaten through the Mission League and were seeded No. 3 in Division III. They host Santa Ynez.

Chaminade (20-5) appeared to be vulnerable after losing three of its last five Mission League games but has rallied to oust Nordhoff, 57-33, and San Dimas, 53-49, in the playoffs.

Another victory will be difficult. The Eagles travel to No. 4-seeded Morningside, a traditional powerhouse that has produced several college players, including Lisa Leslie of the Sparks.

La Canada (17-10) was below .500 before marching undefeated through the Rio Hondo League. The Spartans had a bye in the first round of the playoffs and defeated Corona del Mar, 51-34, in the second to set up a quarterfinal at No. 2-seeded Rosary, a division finalist last season.

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Buena (26-0) has fended off all comers this season, including defending national champion Harbor City Narbonne and nationally ranked Janesville (Wis.) Parker, and is 8-0 against teams ranked in The Times’ regional top 10.

Antelope Valley (25-3) gets its turn tonight in a Division I-A quarterfinal.

The Antelopes, ranked No. 4 in the region, are at least glad they will be hosting the Bulldogs.

“I want to see what the No. 1 team in the nation looks like,” Antelope Valley Coach April Davenport said. “But I don’t want to go to their place.”

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Buena center Kelly Greathouse needs 11 rebounds against Antelope Valley to surpass the school career mark of 1,127 set by her sister, Nicole.

Kelly broke Nicole’s career scoring mark earlier this season. She has 1,880 points.

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Valencia will play a Division I-AA second-round game at Crescenta Valley, a chamber of horrors for Valencia Coach Jerry Mike.

Mike, in his second season with the Vikings, was coach for six years at Glendale, where he was 0-13 against Pacific League rival Crescenta Valley.

He stands a better chance this time.

Valencia (21-6) claimed a share of its second consecutive Foothill League championship and has a balanced offense behind forwards Marissa Meadows and Stephanie Patterson, and guard Valerie Pina.

Crescenta Valley (17-10) relies on freshman guard Jeanine Deno, who scored 38 points on Saturday in a 60-54 victory at Palmdale. She will likely be matched against Holly Feneht, Valencia’s top defensive player.

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Forget records when it comes to judging Oxnard.

The Yellowjackets traditionally play one of the region’s toughest nonleague schedules and peak around playoff time.

In 1996-97, they were 13-12 during the regular season before marching to the Division I-AA championship.

There are similarities this season.

Oxnard, the Pacific View League co-champion, finished the regular season 13-11 before defeating Long Beach Jordan, 67-50, and Santa Maria, 66-54.

The Yellowjackets travel to Rialto Eisenhower, an upset winner over No. 4-seeded Chaffey, tonight in a Division I-AAA quarterfinal.

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Ventura, ranked No. 2 in the region, travels to El Dorado for a Division I-A quarterfinal and will try to build on its region-record 224 three-pointers.

Guard Jenni Dooley, who made six three-pointers on Saturday in a 71-61 victory over Huntington Beach, has made a Ventura County-record 88.

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Six of the region’s best City Section girls’ athletes will be on the floor tonight, when No. 4-seeded Taft hosts Grant in a Championship quarterfinal.

Christina Aguinaga, Denisha McCoy and Schquay Brignac of Taft (21-1) will match up with Alexis Weatherspoon, Krystal Clay and Deja Cruz of Grant (18-8).

Chatsworth (19-7), seeking its second consecutive semifinal berth, travels to No. 2-seeded Westchester for its quarterfinal.