Alemany Girls Prepare to Take Summer Final

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is one of the few exams students take in the summer. But the Alemany High girls’ basketball team takes additional tests twice each summer--during the L. A. Games and the Bell-Jeff Summer Finale tournament.

Coach Melissa Melton uses those games to decide whether her team is a winner or just a candidate for the basketball version of study hall.

The Indians seemed destined for remedial work when they played Chino in the third round of the L. A. Games in June. Alemany failed that portion of its first test, scoring only three points in the first half of a 32-18 loss.

“Three points by halftime, even if it is a running clock, is ridiculous,” Melton said.

But Alemany has posted high marks in its second test. The Indians have advanced to the semifinals of the Bell-Jeff tournament, one of the most prestigious summer tournaments in Southern California, by defeating three strong Southern Section teams--Burbank, Channel Islands and Palos Verdes.

Alemany will play Katella on Thursday at 7 p.m. Brea and Morningside play at 8:10 p.m. in the other semifinal with the winners meeting for the championship Friday at 8:10 p.m.

“My kids have really played hard. I keep telling them what defense can do for a team and I think they’re just starting to believe it,” Melton said.

Only a month after failing their SAT-- Scoring Aptitude Test--the Indians left Palos Verdes dumb-struck, limiting the Sea Kings to two third-quarter points in a 32-29 victory Monday.

Andrea Hoffman, who scored 13 points against Palos Verdes, is averaging 15.7 points and has led Alemany in scoring each game. Sylvia Castaneda added 13 points against the Sea Kings, including eight in the fourth quarter.

“It’s very encouraging,” said Melton, whose team won the San Fernando Valley League last year and finished second the two previous years. “Every summer we’ve had a really positive experience and this summer will probably be the most positive.”

Hart plays Channel Islands at 11:30 a.m. and Thousand Oaks plays St. Mary’s at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in seventh-place quarterfinal games.

Glendale meets Palos Verdes at 2 p.m. in a fifth-place semifinal game and Burroughs plays Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. in a consolation semifinal.

All games are at Bell-Jeff and there is no admission charge.