Brea Eases Way Past Fresno Edison

BREA — Brea Olinda, the top-ranked team in the state, had to struggle for a half before dispensing with Fresno Edison to continue its quest for its first state championship since 1994.

The Ladycats, winners of nine consecutive Southern Section championships, had big third and fourth quarters to coast to an 80-44 victory over the Tigers in a Division II Southern California Regionals semifinal Thursday at Brea Olinda High.

Brea Olinda (29-3), winners of five state championships, advanced to the Southern California regional final Saturday at the Pond. Edison (25-5), the Central Section champion, was attempting to reach its first regional final.

Early in the game, Edison used its quickness and aggressiveness to stay with Brea. The score was tied, 16-16, after one quarter and the Tigers forced Brea out of its 2-1-2 zone defense.

“We didn’t want to play man-to-man against them,” Brea Coach Jeff Sink said. “But you got to do what you got to do to win these games. It’s a good thing we’re adaptable.”

Brea switched to a man-to-man defense and the Ladycats opened the second quarter with an 11-1 run to seize control of the game. But Brea couldn’t break it open until the fourth quarter.

Brea center Rochelle Anthony had 21 points and eight rebounds and guard Jennifer Saari, who has orally committed to Pepperdine, added 11 points to lead a balanced attack for the Ladycats.

Brea’s defense held Edison to 30% shooting from the field (17 of 57) but the Tigers still managed to close to within 38-32 with 5 minutes 7 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Taneia Green scored on a driving layup.

Brea responded by outscoring Edison, 14-3, to close out the quarter, and 25-3 in an 8 1/2-minute span.

“We made that little run in the third quarter, then we got a little out of control,” Edison Coach Bill Engel said. “Our guards got a little wild, we tried a little too much one-on-one, and Brea took advantage of it.

“All of a sudden, I look up at the scoreboard and we’re down 18-20 points. That’s a great team.”

Eleven players scored for Brea. Junior reserve guards Catherine Solorio and Erin Kelly each made a key three-pointer in the first half.

Edison sophomore center Tonisha Yancey, who was averaging 18 points in the team’s last four games, managed only nine but had a game-high 16 rebounds. She only had nine shots in the game against a collapsing Brea defense.

Offensively, Brea showed off its depth with Stephanie Wettlin, Marissa Bradley and Erin Kelly, each scoring eight points, and Lindsay Davidson added seven points and 10 rebounds.

“We played OK,” Sink said.

Good enough to bring the Ladycats within one game of a state championship game berth.