Canyon Springs Rally Knocks Out Ventura

Ebony Ward’s three-point basket with 1:32 left in the third quarter triggered a rally that erased a nine-point deficit and sent Moreno Valley Canyon Springs to its first state Division I girls’ basketball championship game.

In a rematch of the Southern Section Division I-A title game a week earlier, Canyon Springs again defeated Ventura, this time 57-41 to win the Southern California Regional at the Sports Arena.

Canyon Springs had made only seven of 40 shot attempts before Ward, a 5-foot-6 junior guard who finished with 15 points, unleashed the biggest shot of the night while trailing, 34-25, with just over 9 1/2 minutes to go. About a minute later, she added a three-point play, and Canyon Springs was on its way to a 17-3 run.

“That was pretty critical,” said Ventura Coach Ann Larson. “I don’t think it hurt us as much as it gave them confidence and momentum.”

From that point on, Canyon Springs made eight of 16 from the field, and Ventura made two of 15, suddenly bothered by the increased defensive intensity it was facing.

“Toward the end of the third quarter, you could tell they were getting frustrated,” said Vanderbilt-bound Jennifer Risper, who scored 16 and had four steals for Canyon Springs.

Ventura led, 16-13, at halftime lead despite making only three of 25 shots. After consecutive baskets by Caitlin Kearns provided a 34-25 lead, Ventura appeared ready to win. A basket by 6-5 sophomore Kali Bennett, who scored a game-high 21 points, gave Ventura a 36-31 lead to open the fourth quarter.

But Bennett’s basket wasn’t enough, and Ventura staggered to the end against a 1-3-1 press. Kearns, with nine points and 11 rebounds, fouled out with 3:16 remaining. Risper’s ensuing three-pointer made it 46-38.