Brea Olinda retires Pohlen’s jersey

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Brea Olinda put together a terrific pregame program tonight to retire Jeanette Pohlen’s jersey. Eight of the nine Ladycats who have their numbers retired were on hand, the exception being Nicole Erickson, Later, I’ll fill you in on what they are doing today.

By the time Pohlen, introduced last, had made her trip around the gym in a golf cart, she had tears in her eyes.

Mark Trakh, who began the Ladycat dynasty, told a good story about Erickson playing for Duke -- against Tennessee in the NCAA quarterfinals. Pat Summitt was reading the riot act to an official, Trakh explained, when Erickson went over to that same official and said, ‘You’re not going to let her push you around like that, are you? You’re supposed to be in charge.’

Duke won the game, and Erickson became the only Ladycat to ever play in an NCAA championship game.

As good as Brea is this season, and it is No. 5 in The Times’ preseason ranking, I would take the Alumni had they played.

Said Brea Coach Jeff Sink: ‘It’s Legend City in here.’

-- Martin Henderson