Teams finish league perfect

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Bellarmine-Jefferson 66, St. Matthias 24: The Guards finished the Santa Fe League season undefeated with a win Thursday on the road.

Bell-Jeff (20-7, 8-0 in league) secured its fifth straight league championship Tuesday. Thursday’s win marks the fourth straight season the Guards have gone undefeated in league, as the team has a 37-game league win streak.

Against St. Matthias, the Guards were paced by Rishonda Napier, who poured in 33 points. Teammate Marilynn Flynn added 13.

Bell-Jeff — ranked No. 8 in CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA — jumped out to a 19-6 lead after the first quarter and had a 40-12 advantage at the half.

Providence 52, Buckley 48: Despite missing two starters, the Pioneers got solid play from their reserves and won the game Thursday in the road to finish the Liberty League season undefeated.

Providence (22-4, 10-0) — ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division V-AA — secured the league championship last week. It is the program’s third straight title.

“It was a really fun game to coach,” Providence Coach Andrew Bencze said. “Some players who don’t usually get a chance to play got the opportunity and they did a great job.”

With starter Bea Benedicto sidelined with a sore knee, another starter, Catherine Saint, suffered an injury and had to leave early in the game.

Katia Dabbaghian had 15 points, 17 rebounds, 11 steals and four assists, Chanell Rodillas had 13 points and Gian-Mari Llaguno had 11 points for Providence.

The Pioneers trailed, 27-20, at the half.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Providence 67, Buckley 60: With three starters on the bench after fouling out, the Pioneers were able to hold on for a win Thursday on the road to end the Liberty League campaign undefeated.

“We were trying to keep the lead but guys just kept fouling out,” said Providence Coach Ernest Baskerville, whose team is 23-4, 10-0. “But all those guys were cheering from the bench and the guys who stayed in the game came through for us.”

Marcus LoVett Jr. led the Pioneers with 30 points, including converting eight of 10 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter. Jonathan Ly added 12 points.

Patrick Gonzalez scored nine points in the first quarter before having to leave the game with a foot injury. Baskerville said the severity of Gonzalez’s injury was not immediately known.

Providence — ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division V-A — had a 22-12 lead after the first quarter.

The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will find out their postseason opponents when the playoff parings are released Sunday.

Jeff Tully

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Bellarmine-Jefferson 66, St. Matthias 24: The Guards finished the Santa Fe League season undefeated with a win Thursday on the road.
Bell-Jeff (20-7, 8-0 in league) secured its fifth straight league championship Tuesday. Thursday’s win marks the fourth straight season the Guards have gone undefeated in league, as the team has a 37-game league win streak.
Against St. Matthias, the Guards were paced by Rishonda Napier, who poured in 33 points. Teammate Marilynn Flynn added 13.
Bell-Jeff — ranked No. 8 in CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA — jumped out to a 19-6 lead after the first quarter and had a 40-12 advantage at the half.
Providence 52, Buckley 48: Despite missing two starters, the Pioneers got solid play from their reserves and won the game Thursday in the road to finish the Liberty League season undefeated.
Providence (22-4, 10-0) — ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division V-AA — secured the league championship last week. It is the program’s third straight title.
“It was a really fun game to coach,” Providence Coach Andrew Bencze said. “Some players who don’t usually get a chance to play got the opportunity and they did a great job.”
With starter Bea Benedicto sidelined with a sore knee, another starter, Catherine Saint, suffered an injury and had to leave early in the game.
Katia Dabbaghian had 15 points, 17 rebounds, 11 steals and four assists, Chanell Rodillas had 13 points and Gian-Mari Llaguno had 11 points for Providence.
The Pioneers trailed, 27-20, at the half.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Providence 67, Buckley 60: With three starters on the bench after fouling out, the Pioneers were able to hold on for a win Thursday on the road to end the Liberty League campaign undefeated.
“We were trying to keep the lead but guys just kept fouling out,” said Providence Coach Ernest Baskerville, whose team is 23-4, 10-0. “But all those guys were cheering from the bench and the guys who stayed in the game came through for us.”
Marcus LoVett Jr. led the Pioneers with 30 points, including converting eight of 10 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter. Jonathan Ly added 12 points.
Patrick Gonzalez scored nine points in the first quarter before having to leave the game with a foot injury. Baskerville said the severity of Gonzalez’s injury was not immediately known.
Providence — ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division V-A — had a 22-12 lead after the first quarter.
The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will find out their postseason opponents when the playoff parings are released Sunday.
Jeff Tully