Guards Have Winning Tradition!

BURBANK - All four local squads, which all made the postseason in 2009, have their share of returning players.
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Bell-Jeff Scoring Barrage!

BELLARMINE-JEFFERSON HIGH — The Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ basketball team did all it could not to pour Read more

Bell-Jeff Goes 2-0 In League!

PANORAMA CITY - The Bell-Jeff Guards improved their league record to 2-0 last night after defeating St. Genevieve 64 - 12. Read more

Defense Paces Guards!

BURBANK HIGH - Bell-Jeff looks strong in summer-league play, as it has no trouble downing Hoover, 65-10. Read more

Guards in State Finals!

BURBANK - Congratulations to the Bell-Jeff Lady Guards who advanced to the CIF State Southern California Regional Division V Finals Read more

Guards Win… Guards Win!

Congratulations to the Bell-Jeff Lady Guards who defeated Santa Clara Saints 61-31 to capture the 2009 Division 5A CIF Championship. 

This year’s Guards’ team won just the second CIF title in the 65-year history of Bell-Jeff. The only other championship came in 1997 when the Lady Guards featuring former WNBA star Jaclyn Johnson, captured a Division IVA crown.

The first round of State playoffs begin Tuesday 3/10/09 at Bell-Jeff High School.

Aint No Stoppin’ Us Now!…Go Guards!!!

UPDATE!

The Lady Guards defeated Sierra Canyon 79 - 65 and advance to the CIF Southern California Semi-Finals Thursday, 7 pm @ Bell-Jeff.

St. Anthony Routed by Bell-Jeff’s Defense!

LONG BEACH -  St. Anthony’s Paris Lamar looks for an open shot over Averie-Alice Guzman of Bellarmine Jefferson during a Santa Cruz League match. The St. Anthony High girls basketball team didn’t have to look far to find the best team in its league and in its CIF Southern Section division Thursday night.

The Saints were no match for visiting Bell-Jeff, which showed off its precision passing and pressure defense in a 68-38 Santa Cruz League victory. The Guards, who are ranked No. 1 in the latest CIF Southern Section Division V-A poll, improved to 5-0 in league and 23-1 overall. St. Anthony, which is ranked ninth in Division V-A, fell to 10-9 overall and 2-3 in league play.

“We’re trying to improve for the playoffs,” said Saints coach James Anderson, who referred to Bell-Jeff as a “barometer” for the upcoming postseason. “(Playing Bell-Jeff) helps us out in that respect.”

Running its full-court press to near perfection in the first half, the Guards quickly took a 24-8 lead. Forward Shelley Gupilan scored seven of her game-high 22 points in the first quarter and added three steals and three offensive rebounds, which she turned into four easy points. Her sister Margeaux added 11 first-quarter points.

The Saints didn’t break into double figures in scoring until the 3:59 mark of the second quarter and trailed 46-12 at halftime.

“The biggest thing is (Bell-Jeff’s) intensity,” Anderson said, “from Player 1 to Player 12.”

The Saints, who opened the game with two starters on the bench for disciplinary reasons, found their rhythm in the second half. Talor Hixon scored nine of her team-high 13 points after halftime and grabbed six of her eight rebounds. Raquel Johnson finished with nine points and three steals.

“I thought Talor played well,” said Anderson, who added that Bell-Jeff is clearly the best team the Saints have faced this year.

“All the kids did some solid things. … I’m proud of our kids. We’re better than last year,” Anderson added, “and next year we’ll be even better.”

Bell-Jeff, which called off the full-court press after halftime, finished with 16 steals and forced 20 turnovers. Rishonda Napier finished with 15 points and Jasmine Smith finished with 10 rebounds and nine points.

“(Bell-Jeff’s level of play) is where we’re trying to get to,” said Anderson. “After playing them, nobody else is going to phase us.”

By David Felton - Daily News Staff Writer

Steven Georges/Staff Photographer