WINTER SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS : San Fernando Finishes With Four Players, Succumbs to Monroe, 43-36

Earlier this season, Monroe High girls basketball Coach Alexander Dane was forced to play with only six players in the Vikings’ Pac-6 League opener against San Fernando.

Monroe lost the game after two players fouled out in the final quarter, leaving Dane to finish with only four players.

But in Friday’s rematch at Monroe, San Fernando Coach Chris Fotis could muster just five players and San Fernando lost, 43-36. This time San Fernando (4-6, 4-2) was forced to finish the game with only four players.

Both teams have been plagued this season by illnesses, injuries and academically ineligible athletes.

“You can only do so much with only five kids,” Fotis said.

Even though San Fernando center Blanca Del Toro fouled out with six minutes to play, the outnumbered Tigers cut Monroe’s 10-point lead to four points, 38-34, with less than two minutes left. Monroe (6-3, 5-1) held off San Fernando’s late charge with two baskets by Karen Gohata in the last minute.

“They played better with four players and we did too,” Dane said. “Maybe it’s out of desperation.”