Lynwood Rallies to Stay Undefeated

Lynwood High was three minutes away from having its hopes for a perfect girls’ basketball season and national championship end.

Both are still alive, however, after an improbable fourth-quarter rally and a 70-68 nonleague victory over host Lakewood Artesia on Saturday night.

The Knights (18-0), ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times and No. 2 in the nation by one publication, overcame a 68-57 deficit with 3 minutes 9 seconds left by forcing six consecutive Artesia turnovers.

Sade Wiley-Gatewood’s driving layup with five seconds left broke a 68-68 tie.

Wiley-Gatewood, a sophomore guard, scored 29 points, including 11 of Lynwood’s final 15.

Janice Bright added 23 points, 21 in the second half, for the Knights, who had won their previous four games by an average of 82 points.

Brittney Thomas scored a season-high 20 points for sixth-ranked Artesia (12-5), which led by as many as 14 points in the first half. Lindsey Thomas scored 18 points, Cacie Pope had 13 and Lauren Ervin added 11 for the Pioneers, whose losses have come against nationally ranked teams Harbor City Narbonne (twice), Mountain View (Utah), Long Beach Poly and Lynwood.

Dave Desmond

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San Clemente 49, Brea Olinda 42--Lindsey Pluimer scored 23 points for third-ranked San Clemente, which won for the second time this season on Brea Olinda’s home court.

Pluimer picked up two fouls early in the first quarter and was charged with her fourth midway through the fourth quarter, but the sophomore forward was able to score the clinching basket with 23 seconds to play.

Sara Brown finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five steals for the Tritons (12-3).

Lauren Pedersen scored 11 points for ninth-ranked Brea Olinda (11-6).

Dale Ruhe