Brea Olinda (25-4) vs. North Torrance (27-4)

8:15 TONIGHT PYRAMID, LONG BEACH STATE

The top-seeded Ladycats are going for their 12th Southern Section title in 13 consecutive appearances, but to be successful they will once again have to play without their leading scorer, senior guard Jackie Lord (16.7 points), who has a knee injury. In her absence in the semifinals against Santa Margarita, freshman Lauren Pedersen scored 14 points, sophomore Jennifer Katsuyama added 22 and the Brea press forced 23 turnovers in a 57-28 victory. “We’ll go as far as our press and intensity take us,” said Coach Jeff Sink, and North Torrance can expect a steady stream of pressure. But so can Brea. North Torrance lives off its full-court, man-to-man pressure. The second-seeded Cougars, who advanced to tonight’s game with a 58-48 victory over third-seeded Norco, will have a height advantage, but most everyone does against Brea. North Torrance also beat Santa Margarita this season, 61-50. Orchid Ryan and Julia Pitts are the primary scorers, but Traci Elliott, who missed half the season after knee surgery, has averaged 12.5 points in the playoffs.

LINEUPS

Brea Olinda

G Jennifer Katsuyama, So.

8.5 points, 1.7 rebounds

G Tara Hefferly, Sr.

8 points, 2.1 rebounds

G Lauren Pedersen, Fr.

5.6 points, 4.2 assists

F Jenny Skrifvars, Jr.

4.4 points, 2.9 rebounds

C Carrie Noyes, Fr.

7.9 points, 5.4 rebounds

North Torrance

G Staci Kaneshiro, So.

6.1 points, 2.5 assists

G Orchid Ryan, Sr.

20.0 pts., 4.4 reb., 5.2 steals

G Traci Elliott, Jr.

6.7 points

F Tasha Williams, Sr.

1.5 points

C Julia Pitts, Jr.

13.9 points, 8.6 rebounds