HB, OV reach quarterfinals

Huntington Beach High and Ocean View both recorded a pair of victories in a three-day period to get through to the quarterfinal round of the CIF Southern Section girls’ basketball playoffs.

Both teams played their quarterfinal games Wednesday: Huntington hosted Pacific League runner-up Crescenta Valley in a Division 1A showdown, and Ocean View traveled to face Pacific Coast League runner-up Corona del Mar in a Division 3A matchup. Scores weren’t available at press time.

The winners of Wednesday’s quarterfinal games advance to the division semifinals Saturday.

In a hard-fought second-round Division 1 opener Feb. 18, Huntington Beach got past visiting Walnut (Hacienda League No. 3), 56-49. Junior forward Frankie Wade-Sanchez turned in what Coach Russ McClurg said was “her best performance of the year” scoring 27 points in addition to grabbing 11 rebounds. Junior guard Kaylyn Nakaji had 12 points and senior guard Sammy Gray 11 points.

The Oilers, who tied with Edison for second place in the Sunset League, traveled Saturday to University (Pacific Coast League at-large) and scored a 54-42 win over the Trojans. Nakaji, Gray and Wade-Sanchez had 13 each in the win.

Huntington held a five-point halftime lead and pulled away in the second half to improve to 24-6.

“I am really happy to see the girls peaking at the right time and playing tough on defense,” McClurg said. “We have overcome the flu at a tough time in the season.

“I fully expect the [Crescenta Valley] game Wednesday will be a great game as both teams match up pretty well. The girls have worked hard all year and have done a great job representing their families, the school and the city of Huntington Beach.”

The Crescenta Valley-Huntington winner advances to Saturday’s Division 1A semifinals and will face the winner of the Wednesday quarterfinal game between Cypress (Empire League No. 2) and Chino Hills (Baseline League No. 2).

Ocean View won its first two Division 3A playoff games on its home floor.

The Seahawks started the Division 3A tournament Feb. 18 and easily handled Bolsa Grande (Garden Grove League No. 3), 57-30. Senior guards Sally Morris and Danelle Almiranez both scored 13 points, and senior guard/forward Treasure Robinson had nine points and seven rebounds.

On Saturday, Ocean View turned in a strong defensive performance which paved the way in a 54-47 victory over Barstow (Aztec League No. 2), 54-47.

The two victories put the Seahawks, who tied for second-place in the Golden West League, at 18-8 heading into the quarterfinal round.

“We are on a ‘quest,’ and reaching the quarterfinals is a huge step toward our goal,” Ocean View Coach Kim Morris said.

The Ocean View-Corona del Mar winner advances to Saturday’s Division 3 semifinals to face the winner of the Wednesday quarterfinal game between Rio Hondo League champ and No. 2-seed La Canada and Lawndale Leuzinger (Pioneer League No. 3).

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Warriors win opener, fall in second round

Brethren Christian won its CIF-SS Division 6 playoff opener Feb. 18, but was eliminated from title contention Saturday. The Warriors defeated San Jacinto Noli Indian (Warrior League No. 2), 40-24, but lost in the second-round to Burbank Bellarmine-Jefferson, (Santa Fe League No. 2), 63-28.

BC, an at-large entry to the playoffs, finished 5-21.

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Chargers, Barons drop openers

Edison and Fountain Valley played first-round games Feb. 18, and both were eliminated from postseason play that night.

In a Division 2AA game, Edison traveled to face Foothill and lost to the Knights, the second-place team from the Crestview League, 78-66. Four Chargers hit double-figures with junior point guard Gianna Luna (five assists) leading way with 16 points. Senior forward/guard Justine Modde and sophomore center Ashley Niemand (four rebounds, two blocks) both scored 14 points, and senior point guard Jenni Kwok (10 rebounds) had 11 points.

The Chargers, who shared second place with Huntington in the Sunset League, end their year at 13-14.

Sara Brown took over as head coach of the Chargers after Coach Dan Wiley died prior to the start of the season.

“Taking over for Dan this season has been nothing short of a challenge and most people have no idea what our team went through, emotionally and mentally,” Brown said. “I am proud of this team and thankful for the opportunity to lead these young women on and off the court. Our experiences have only made us grow closer and stronger.”

In a Division 1AA first-round game Feb. 18, Fountain Valley went to Bay League champion Redondo Union and was handed a 76-4 defeat. The Barons, an at-large playoff entry from the Sunset League, end the year 1-25.