Prep Basketball GIRLS : Stevens Too Tough for Simi, 42-20

Westlake High needed a helping hand Wednesday night to defeat Simi Valley High, 42-20, in a Marmonte League game at Simi Valley. It was guard Michelle Stevens’ left one.

Stevens, a two-time All-Southern Section player, broke her hand in a pre-season scrimmage and didn’t play until the Warriors’ league opener against Simi Valley three weeks ago. She saw limited playing time and Westlake lost, 47-38.

Although the hand was still heavily bandaged Wednesday, Stevens had little trouble pushing the Pioneers aside. She scored a game-high 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, stole three passes and also blocked two shots.

Warrior Coach Nancy Bowman said, “When Michelle plays, she dominates. She can usually do more things than anyone else on the court.” Including play with pain.

Teammate Michelle Compton scored nine points and forward Lisa Hall added six points and eight rebounds for Westlake, which improved its record to 6-1 in league and 9-6 overall.

Center Wendy Morgan and forward Rachel Wilson each scored six points for Simi Valley, which fell to 4-2 and 12-5.

Kennedy 72, Taft 34

Kennedy High extended its Valley 4-A league winning streak to 67 games as it broke to an early 19-4 lead and cruised past Taft High.

Stacy Parson and Diane DeCree provided much of the attack for the Golden Cougars. Parson had 22 points, 14 rebounds and 4 steals. DeCree contributed 16 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. The Toreadors were led by Alissa Morton’s 18 points and Bridget Davis, who had 11.

Kennedy, which hasn’t lost a league game since 1978, is 7-0 and 14-4 overall. Taft is 0-6 in the league.

Palisades 51, Poly 15

After going up, 5-4, at the end of the first quarter, Palisades High ran away from the Polytechnic High the rest of the game.

The Dolphins were led by Stacie Washington, who had 22 points. The 6-1 junior center made 10 of 12 shots. Ellie Villalobos and Pearnes Edwards each had four points for Poly.

El Camino Real 65, Grant 54

After trailing, 48-34, at the end of three quarters, Grant High made a late surge--scoring 20 points in the final period. But the Lancers still came up short.

Michelle Kirby scored 15 points and had 15 rebounds for El Camino Real High. Voviette Morgan scored 16 points and had 11 rebounds. Grant was paced by Lenise Collins, who had a game-high 24 points.

El Camino’s improved its record to 6-1 in league and 12-2 overall. Grant is 0-7 in league.

Glendale 44, Hoover 33

Glendale High never trailed and took over second place in the Pacific League with a victory over Hoover High. The win gives the Nitros a 4-1 league record while Hoover dropped to third with 3-2. Overall, Glendale is 9-8. Hoover is 10-5.

Erin Cassidy led Glendale with 19 points, while Martha Rankin added 13. Hoover’s Jena Nerlich had 11 points.

Reseda 84, Verdugo Hills 24

Desiree Mims scored 40 points as she dominated the game in Reseda High’s rout of Verdugo Hills High. The 5-11 senior also had 20 rebounds.

Sherry Jackson had 14 points, while Valerie Williams had 10 for Reseda.

The win improves Reseda’s record to 6-1 in the Valley 3-A League and 12-2 overall. Verdugo Hills is winless in seven league games this season.

Covallis 70, Immaculate Heart 36

Corvallis High broke a 14-14 tie in the first quarter by scoring 20 points in each of the next two quarters to win.

The Scotties had five players in double figures, including 12 points each from Nicole Chase, Karen Pinto and Sharon Cogan. Chase also had 11 rebounds.

Corvallis is now 5-5 in the San Fernando Valley League and 10-6 overall.

W. V. Christ. 26, Grace Church 8

Despite playing with no reserves on the bench, West Valley Christian shut out Grace Community Church in the first quarter and held it below double figures the rest of the way.

For West Valley Christian, Trinette Waters had 10 points and 5 rebounds, while Suzanne Foster had 10 rebounds. The school is now 8-0 overall.