LOS ALAMITOS — Los Alamitos coach Rich Alvarez warned the Griffins going into their CIF Southern Section 1AA girls second round playoff game Saturday night that Norco’s only path to success was a 30-point plus game from point guard Naomi Yim.
“We wanted to get the ball out of her hands,” Alvarez said. “She went for 39 and gave it a shot. She’s a very talented player.”
Los Alamitos (21-6) finally stopped Yim, holding the 5-foot-7 junior scoreless in the final four minutes to take a 70-58 victory on the Griffins’ court.
Los Alamitos will play at Valencia of Valencia in the quarterfinals on Wednesdsay night.
After Yim tied the game at 53 on her eighth and final 3-pointer, Alvarez extended the Los Alamitos zone to half court. He had Jade Gallaway pick up Yim and when she fouled out with 68 seconds remaining, the duty to went to Cailyn Crocker.
Yim, under intense defensive pressure, missed her final five shots, four of them 3-pointers.
Los Alamitos took a 56-53 lead on Asa Avinger’s free throw and two by Crocker.
Yim also has the ability to drive, but she was doubled teamed on the perimeter by Galloway and Avinger, who stripped the ball and passed to Sydney Gandy for a breakaway layup for a 58-53 lead.
Following a 3-point miss by Yim, Avinger made a 17-foot jumper for a seven-point lead with 1:30 to play.
Crocker made all six of her free throws in the final minutes and Avinger added an open layup and a drive for the Griffins final 10 points.
“Crocker is a clutch player,” Alvarez said.
Crocker, a 5-8 sophomore guard, led Los Alamitos with 24 points. Gandy scored 18. She was 7 of 13 from the field, 4 of 9 on 3-pointers.
Avinger scored 12 points, nine in the fourth period.
Yim made 11 of 23 field goals including 8 of 13 3-pointers and was 9 of 10 at the foul line for Norco (15-13).
