PREP BASKETBALL: GIRLS’ PLAYOFFS : Monarchs Reach I-AA Final

Top-ranked Morningside proved once again Wednesday night that it can play without All-American center Lisa Leslie, defeating Lynwood, 56-54, in a girls’ Southern Section Division I-AA semifinal game at Inglewood High.

The Monarchs (28-2) now face Chino, a 55-42 winner over Chaffey, in the championship game Friday at 8:15 p.m. at UC Irvine.

With Leslie, who now plays at USC, the Monarchs won three Southern Section titles in a row and two consecutive State crowns. Under first-year Coach Ron Randle, they now have the chance to keep those streaks alive.

Lynwood fell to 24-4.

“I’m pretty excited because I thought these girls deserved another opportunity,” said Randle, who took over for Frank Scott after last season. “Everybody asked how we’d do without Lisa. Well, we’ve been showing how we’d do. We’re going back to the party.”

After erasing an 11-point first-quarter deficit, Lynwood rebounded to take a 50-47 advantage into the final quarter. Both teams had trouble scoring, but the Monarchs found just enough.

Forward Tina Thompson paced the Monarchs with 16 points. Guard Princess Murray chipped in with 12 and Akiba Flanagan contributed 10.

Lynwood limited Janet Davis to four points, five rebounds and five blocked shots, but the 6-4 center tied the score with a short jumper late in the fourth quarter.

Lynwood forward Kim Barfield led all scorers with 24 points and guard Bridgette Polk contributed 13.