Hart Girls Leave Their Mark at the Line

SIMI VALLEY — Hart High has had its share of standout girls’ basketball players, but the Indians like to think they have become a perennial power in the region because of fundamentals.

One of those fundamentals is free-throw shooting.

“Our goal is to shoot 67% every game,” said Hart Coach Dave Munroe, whose team made 17 of 25 free throws (68%) Friday night in a 51-39 victory over Simi Valley in the semifinals of the Simi Valley tournament.

The Indians had a distinct advantage over Simi Valley, which made only two of 17 free throws.

Hart (8-2), the defending tournament champion, will meet St. Lucy’s tonight at 8 in the championship game. Hart defeated St. Lucy’s, 42-37, in the final last season.

Simi Valley (7-4) will meet Alemany at 6:30 p.m. in the third-place game.

For 22 minutes Friday, Hart and Simi Valley played to a draw, 33-33. But the Indians outscored the Pioneers, 18-6, in the final 10 minutes.

Sophomore reserve Christina Sanchez scored eight of her team-high 12 points during the run.

Hart forward Melissa Harrison, in foul trouble much of the first half, scored seven of her 11 points in the second half and finished with 15 rebounds. Guard Emily Reyna added nine points.

Molly Little scored 12 points for Simi Valley, which played without leading scorer Jamie Sturdivant because of the flu and No. 2 rebounder Lisa Griggs, who was out of town.

Their absence made it difficult for the Pioneers to overcome the Indians, whose only losses were to Crescenta Valley and Buena, ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the region by The Times.

Simi Valley’s dismal free-throw shooting didn’t help, either.

“[Two for 17] is terrible--at any level of basketball,” Pioneer Coach Dave Murphy said. “Our third- and fourth-grade teams should shoot better than that.”

St. Lucy’s 76, Alemany 70--Alemany (6-3) lost in double overtime and failed to reach the final for the first time since 1991. Alemany did not participate in the tournament in 1996.

Kate Beckler scored 34 points for Alemany, but Lisa Zarubick hit a three-point basket in the second overtime to break a 70-70 tie.

Newbury Park 69, Burbank 28--A.J. Jensen scored 17 points for the Panthers (4-5), who advanced to today’s fifth-place game against Grant.

Amanda Ivey had 15 points for Burbank (3-6).

Grant 59, Canyon 49--The Lancers broke open a two-point game with a 25-point fourth quarter.

Kathleen Mallon scored 15 points and Angela Terry added 14 for Grant (10-2).

Keisha Jordan scored a game-high 22 points for Canyon (6-8).

Littlerock 57, Chaminade 35--Jameka Taylor had 18 points and six steals and Carrie Miller had 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Lobos (6-5), who overcame a 14-5 first-quarter deficit in a ninth-place semifinal.

Julie Cichon had 11 points and nine rebounds for Chaminade (5-8).

Camarillo 58, Pasadena 55--Jessica Mendoza scored 12 points for the Scorpions (4-7) in a ninth-place semifinal. Camarillo led, 50-39, after three quarters.