Brea Olinda falls in title game

In a game that had the feel of a CIF playoff contest, it was the visiting Narbonne Gauchos who pulled out a stirring victory.

Senior Reiko Thomas made a driving layup with 3.8 seconds left to give the Gauchos a 57-56 victory over Brea Olinda in the championship game of the 28th annual Ladycat Classic on Saturday at Brea Olinda High.

“We’ve had numerous close games with this team and this one was no different,” said Ladycats coach Jeff Sink. “They executed and made big shots down the stretch.”

Danielle Lenoir led the Gauchos (4-0) with 14 points, while Thomas added 13 points and five steals, as Narbonne avenged a 61-53 loss to the Ladycats in last season’s tournament championship game.

It was the Ladycats (3-1) who started fast, opening the game on a 14-5 run. Senior Jonae Ervin keyed the spurt with six points in the first quarter, as she repeatedly drove through the Gauchos defense for easy baskets. Freshman center Justine Hartman was also key early, as she controlled the middle on both sides of the ball.

However, the Gauchos gradually worked themselves back into the game early in the second quarter, as their defense began to force turnovers. Behind Lenior nine first-half points, the Gauchos cut the lead to 31-25 at the intermission.

The third quarter belonged to the Gauchos, as they completely shut down the Ladycats offense and found open areas in their zone defense. A 17-6 run gave the Gauchos a 42-37 lead heading into the fourth.

The final quarter turned into an intense battle, as the Ladycats clawed back into the game, scoring 12 of their 19 fourth-quarter points from the line.

Two free throws by Kiana Lewis gave the Ladycats a 56-55 lead with 18 seconds left, but the on the Gauchos’ final possession, they could not stop Thomas, who managed to slip by a couple of Ladycats defenders for the game winning basket.

In other games Saturday:

Edison 50, Huntington Beach 26: Bonnie Samuelson scored 20 points and Mary Madden added 12 to lead the Chargers (4-0) to victory over the Oilers to win the championship of the Lady Centurion Classic at Century High.

Noelani Viloria led the Oilers (3-1) with 12 points.

La Jolla Country Day 62, San Clemente 32: Host La Jolla Country Day outscored the Tritons (3-1), 42-12, in the second half en route to victory over the Tritons in the final of the La Jolla Country Day Sweet 16 Tournament.

Andrea Wertz led San Clemente (3-1) with nine points.

Fullerton 49, Rosary 41: The Indians (4-0) outscored Royals, 18-10, in the final quarter to win in the final of the Fullerton Tip-Off Classic at Fullerton High.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger.ocregister.com