PLAYER OF THE YEAR: NICOLE HUNG, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.
She might not have possessed the explosive first step of teammate Nicole Nesbit or the physical strength of fellow senior Sydney Haydel, but the Princeton-bound talent had all the intangibles to lead Harvard-Westlake to back-to-back Southern Section titles and its first Div.IV state championship.
Hung averaged a team-leading 17.7 points, finishing her career with 1,836, third among local seniors behind Notre Dame’s Kody Burke (1,948) and Crescenta Valley’s Cassie Pappas (1,938). But the most impressive contribution by the Mission League MVP and Div.IV-AA co-player of the year was a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game. The 5-foot-11 Hung also averaged 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals, shooting 82 percent from the free-throw line and 46 percent from the field to help the Wolverines match an area record with 34 wins, including 30 in a row to conclude the season, capped by a 58-44 victory over St. Mary’s of Albany in the Div. IV state final.
FIRST TEAM
KATIE BROOKS, Oaks Christian, Sr.
The co-MVP of the Tri-Valley League with Oak Park’s Lauren Varney, Brooks capped her impressive career with 1,217 points and 1,017 rebounds. A Southern Section Div. IV-A first-team selection, Brooks led the Lions to a league title and a semifinal appearance, averaging 15.5 points and 10.8 rebounds.
KODY BURKE, Notre Dame, Sr.
One of the most dominant post players in area history, the North Carolina State-bound Burke averaged 22.7 points and 12.2 rebounds to lead the Knights to the Div.IV-AA quarterfinals. The Mission League and Div. IV-AA first-team selection, Burke concluded her career with 1,948 points and 1,255 rebounds.
CHANTEL DOOLEY, Montclair Prep, Sr.
The Olympic League MVP, Dooley was the catalyst for the Mounties’ run to the Southern Section Div. V-A final and the Southern California Div. V regional title game. The Long Beach State signee led Montclair Prep with 16.4 points, 10 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.6 steals, securing Div. V-A first-team honors.
MARGEAUX GUPILAN, Bell-Jeff, Sr.
After leading the Guards to the Div. V state championship last season, Gupilan helped Bell-Jeff compete against the toughest schedule in program history. The Santa Cruz League player of the year, Div. IV-A first-team and All CIF/All State pick averaged 13.8 points, 5.8 assists and 5.1 rebounds, leading the Guards to the Div. IV state tournament.
Gupilan will play her college ball at the University of Buffalo. (see press release here)
SYDNEY HAYDEL, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.
The All-Mission League and Div. IV-AA first-team selection played her best when the Wolverines needed it most in the Southern California regional finals and Div.IV state championship, elevating Harvard-Westlake to the program’s first state title. The Hawaii signee, who had 1,077 career points, averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds.
MONICA JACKSON, Chatsworth, Sr.
Jackson did her best to help the Chancellors overcome the loss of Gennifer Brandon to graduation, leading the area in scoring and ranking second in the state at 28.9 points per game. Jackson had nine games of at least 30 points and two of more than 40, in addition to averaging 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 steals to receive All-West Valley League honors.
BROOKE LEMAR, Canyon, Sr.
A Southern Section Div. II-AA first-team selection, Lemar helped Canyon capture its first Foothill League title in 36 years. The league MVP, who has signed with Southern Illinois, averaged a Foothill-best 14.9 points and 5.1 assists, along with 2.7 steals and a 46 percent clip from the field.
NICOLE NESBIT, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.
The UC Santa Barbara-bound point guard shared Div. IV-AA player of the year honors with teammate Nicole Hung after helping the Wolverines capture their second consecutive title. The Mission League standout, who finished her career with 1,521 points, averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 assists, 3.4 steals and 3.1 rebounds.
BRITTANY OSTER, Agoura, Sr.
Oster’s work ethic and energy ignited the Chargers during their run to the program’s first Marmonte League title. The league MVP and Southern Section Div. III-AA first-team selection, who is headed to Redlands, helped Agoura win its first 29 games and reach the division final, averaging 16.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.4 steals.
CASSIE PAPPAS, Crescenta Valley, Sr.
The area’s scoring leader with 755 points, the Massachusetts-bound Pappas concluded her career with 1,938 points to finish third in program history. Pappas ranked fifth in the Southern Section with 25.2 points per game, in addition to 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 steals, to secure Pacific League co-MVP and Div. I-A first-team recognition.
SECOND TEAM
Brianna Barrett, Oaks Christian, Soph.
Sasha Borenstein, Agoura, Sr.
Jasmine Smith, Bell-Jeff, Soph.
Kylie Cunningham, Agoura, Soph.
Rmanii Haynes, Taft, Sr.
Destinee LaFountain, Royal, Sr.
Keiona Mathews, Antelope Valley, Soph.
Megan Musashi, Flintridge Prep, Sr.
Sarah Rebibo, El Camino Real, Sr.
Kim Scamman, Montclair Prep, Jr.
Trinidee Trice, Alemany, Sr.
Lauren Varney, Oak Park, Sr.
Layana White, Bell-Jeff, Jr.
COACH OF THE YEAR
STEVE SCIFRES, Agoura
Few area teams have enjoyed such a significant turnaround as the Chargers have in three seasons under Scifres. After Agoura more than doubled its win total from the 2007-08 season to last year, Scifres guided the Chargers (30-2) to the most successful season in program history, including their first Marmonte League title. With an up-tempo, run-and-gun offensive style and constant defensive pressure, Agoura averaged 68.7 points per contest on its way to winning 29 consecutive games and reaching the Div. III-AA final, the team’s first appearance in a division final.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
LESLIE LOPEZ-WOOD, Bell-Jeff, Fr.
Already one of the area’s top perimeter shooters, Lopez-Wood fit well into an already talented backcourt that included Margeaux Gupilan, Rishonda Napier, Layana White and Julia Tani. The Guards’ most efficient player from behind the arc, she had four games with at least five 3-pointers, including six as part of a 24-point effort against Corcoran in the first round of the Div. IV state tournament. With Margeaux Gupilan and Julia Tani graduating, Lopez-Wood will take on an increased role next season, but her efforts wereshe was instrumental in Bell-Jeff capturing the Santa Cruz League title and reaching the Div. IV-A semifinals.
TOP TEN RANKINGS
1. Harvard-Westlake (34-1)
2. Bell-Jeff (25-7)
3. Agoura (30-2)
4. Alemany (21-8)
5. Oaks Christian (24-6)
6. Montclair Prep (25-8)
7. Taft (16-10)
8. El Camino Real (23-8)
9. Canyon (22-7)
10. Crescenta Valley (24-6)
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Alpha: Campbell Hall
Delphic: Sierra Canyon
East Valley: Grant
Foothill: Canyon
Golden: Antelope Valley
Heritage: Milken Community
Liberty: Providence
Marmonte: Agoura
Mission: Harvard-Westlake
Omega: West Valley Christian
Pacific: Muir
Pacific View: Rio Mesa
Prep: Pasadena Poly
Rio Hondo: La Canada
Santa Cruz: Bell-Jeff
Tri-Valley: Oaks Christian
Valley Mission: Monroe
West Valley: El Camino Real
GAME OF THE YEAR
HARVARD-WESTLAKE 61, BELL-JEFF 59
Div. IV state playoffs, March 11
The last in a trilogy of clashes between two elite programs was also the most thrilling, with Harvard-Westlake relying on two free throws from Skylar Tsutsui with 5.3 seconds left to win 61-59 in the regional quarterfinals. Harvard-Westlake also defeated the Guards — who tied the score at 59-59 on a layup by Layana White — at the Nike Tournament of Champions and in a nonleague game at last year’s Div. V state champion Bell-Jeff.
But the Wolverines relied on the comforts of home to prevail in the toughest of their eight postseason games, which culminated with a Div. IV state title.
Jack Pollon and Erik Boal/Daily News
Corcoran - Bell-Jeff of Burbank took 10 days worth of frustration out on Corcoran in the opening round of the Southern California Div. IV girls’ basketball regional playoffs Tuesday night.
Freshman Leslie Lopez-Wood hit six 3-pointers and led Bell-Jeff with 24 points in a 76-55 victory over the Central Section Div. IV champion Panthers, setting up a third showdown this season in Thursday’s regional quarterfinals with top-seeded Harvard-Westlake of Studio City (30-1).
“We’re anxious, we’re ready and Thursday night we’re going to give it everything we’ve got,” Bell-Jeff coach Bryan Camacho said. “We know we’re going up against a monster, a phenomenal, but we’re excited about the opportunity. We’re going to give Harvard-Westlake our very best.”
Bell-Jeff, the defending Div. V state champion, rebounded from a 61-57 loss Feb. 27 to Windward in the Southern Section Div. IV-A semifinals to knock off host Corcoran (24-6).
Jasmine Smith had 14 points, Layana White added 10 points and Julia Tani contributed nine points for the Guards, who put the game away by outscoring Corcoran 17-9 in the third quarter.
Margeaux Gupilan added eight points and Rishonda Napier had seven points for Bell-Jeff, which suffered a 69-47 loss Dec. 21 to Div. IV-AA champion Harvard-Westlake and a 66-62 setback Jan. 5.
- Erik Boal
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Bell-Jeff beats Corcoran, 76-55, to set up big test. The Bellarmine-Jefferson High Read more
The Bell-Jeff of Burbank girls’ basketball team had plenty going for it in its Saturday night Southern Section Read more
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Bell-Jeff clinches third straight title in blowout, 73-25.
BELLARMINE-JEFFERSON HIGH — Technically, the Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ basketball team clinched its third straight Santa Cruz League championship Thursday evening.
Ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section IVA Division, the Guards were no doubt the favorites to capture the league title again this season.
Maybe it was that expectation, or the fact the clinching game came with a 73-25 blowout win against St. Mary’s Academy at Bell-Jeff, but the moment was definitely anticlimactic.
The Guards (21-5, 7-0 in league) didn’t storm the court and they didn’t scream and yell after the win. Instead, the players appeared to take the title in stride.
But Bell-Jeff Coach Bryan Camacho said don’t take the lack of emotion from his team as an indication that the championship doesn’t matter to it. On the contrary, he said it means a great deal.
“We are very appreciative that we have been able to win our third straight Santa Cruz League championship,” said Camacho, whose squad captured Southern Section and state titles last season. “We know it’s a big accomplishment to win a league title, and we definitely don’t take it for granted.”
Camacho said his squad will relish its latest crown because one never knows what the future might hold for the program.
“I tell the girls that sometimes success comes in cycles,” Camacho said. “You might be winning now but you never know what’s going to happen down the road. So, I told them to enjoy the moment and be proud of what they accomplished.”
After finishing up the regular season Friday, the playoffs are next up for the Guards. The postseason is set to begin next week, and it’s likely that Bell-Jeff will get a bye for the first round.
Against St. Mary’s (8-13, 3-5), the Guards took charge early. The hosts jumped out to a 27-12 lead after the first quarter, and increased the advantage to 48-15 at the half.
After leading, 62-21, after three quarters, a running clock was implemented for the final quarter.
“In games like this it’s all about getting better and learning,” Camacho said. “We just want to get better with each and every game.”
Freshman Leslie Lopez-Wood paced Bell-Jeff with a game-high 14 points. Another freshman, Tiffany Kho, added 13 points and sophomore Kiah Jones had 10.
Jeff Tully
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Jackrabbits’ defensive pressure and superior size eventually tire Guards.
Don’t tell Poly High girls basketball coach Carl Buggs that Bell-Jeff is a small school.
“The size of the school’s got nothing to do with it,” Buggs said minutes following Saturday’s narrow 62-57 victory over the Guards in the final game of the night at the Ayala Extravaganza in Chino Hills.
Poly, one of the largest public schools in the state and the four-time defending CIF State Division I champion, had to rally from a fourth-quarter deficit to finally knock off Bell-Jeff, the defending State Division V champion with an enrollment around 400.
“They’ve got some solid players and are a very well-coached team,” Buggs added. “They shoot the ball, they handle the ball and they’re disciplined.”
The Guards (17-5) held a two-point lead (37-35) at halftime and a three-point advantage (51-48) after three quarters, thanks mostly to some accurate shooting. Bell-Jeff sank five 3-point shots through three quarters, including three from freshman Leslie Lopez-Wood.
“They weren’t missing in the first half,” said Buggs.
But the Jackrabbits (16-2) turned up the defensive pressure in the fourth and held the Guards to just one field goal. Sheila Boykin had five of her game-high 11 rebounds in the fourth and added three steals. Ariya Crook-Williams scored nine points in the fourth - she had 18 for the game - and was 5-for-6 from the foul line. Destiny King added two crucial offensive rebounds in the fourth, including one following a missed free throw as Poly nursed a late three-point lead.
“That was huge,” Buggs said.
Poly regained the lead, 56-55, on a bucket from Crook-Williams with 3:51 remaining. The Guards’ Rishonda Napier tied the game with a free throw before King and Crook-Williams scored consecutive baskets, the second on a nice assist from Brittany Wilson.
Bell-Jeff, ranked No. 1 in the latest CIF-SS Division IV-A poll, finally began to wilt under Poly’s constant pressure and superior size in the fourth. Beside their poor shooting from the field, the Guards were just 4-for-11 from the foul line in the fourth.
“I think it was more mental fatigue than physical fatigue (in the fourth),” Bell-Jeff coach Bryan Camacho said. “We broke down a couple times on our (defensive) rotations and Poly was able to get couple (baskets).”
Wilson added 16 points for Poly, Tajanae Winston scored nine and King had seven points and five rebounds. Jasmine Smith led the Guards with 14 points and eight rebounds. Napier and Margeaux Gupilan each scored 11.
By David Felton, Staff Writer Press Telegram
CHINO HILLS – For all of Bell-Jeff of Burbank’s effort to break down Long Beach Poly’s full-court pressure and for all of the Guards’ work to Read more
GIRLS BASKETBALL - Expectations have been high this season for the Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ basketball team. Read more
PANORAMA CITY - The Bell-Jeff Guards improved their league record to 2-0 last night after defeating St. Genevieve 64 - 12. Read more
SAN DEIGO - Playing for the third time in a four-day span didn’t seem to take its toll Monday on the Bell-Jeff of Burbank Read more
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