Most Viewed Stories
Tarbut V'Torah's big rally comes up a little bit short
Tarbut V'Torah's big rally comes up a little bit short
The Lions battle back from 18-point deficit but still lose to Cuyama, 55-53, in Division VI-A semifinal.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO - Tarbut V'Torah's girls basketball team made a valiant comeback Monday night in an attempt to earn its first trip to the CIF Finals.
But the Lions came up short, falling to Cuyama Valley, 55-53, in the Southern Section VI-A semifinals at Saddleback Valley Christian.
"All the close games this year, we won," Tarbut V'Torah coach Sam Corrigan said. "Sometimes we just don't get those lucky breaks. But I'm proud of our girls."
The Lions got solid performances from Jena Vogel, who had 18 points, and Gaby Natelson and Coral Zekri, who had 14 points each.
Tarbut V'Torah (17-2) battled back from an 18-point deficit late in the third quarter but still trailed, 49-35, going into the final stanza.
The Lions, who went to a zone defense in the second half to try to stop Cuyama's dominant inside game, used a 7-0 run at the start of the final quarter to get back into the game.
The pace was wild in the final minutes with both teams having chances to take the lead.
Tarbut V'Torah evened the score at 53 when Natelson made two free throws with a minute remaining.
Cuyama had a chance to move ahead with 35 seconds left but Kendra Romero missed two free throws.
Tarbut V'Torah missed a chance to go ahead when it turned the ball over on its next trip down.
Romero got another chance to put her team ahead and sank two free throws with 14 seconds to make it 55-53.
Tarbut V'Torah's Vogel was then fouled as she entered the front court. But she missed the front end of a one-and-one. The Lions got the ball back on an alternate possession with five seconds left, but an outside jumper fell off the rim as time expired.
Tarbut V'Torah outscored the Bears, 18-6, in the final quarter, but couldn't complete the comeback.
"Some games, you can't sleep afterward, but this one, they came back and gave it a good effort," Corrigan said. "It's the first time we've ever had 17 wins. Next year, hopefully we'll make a run at it again."
Cuyama Valley was led by Diana Velarde, who scored 20 points. The Bears move on to the CIF VI-A final Thursday against Packinghouse Christian at Mater Dei High.
Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com
