Moorpark Winds Up on a High Note

BURBANK — Moorpark and Crescenta Valley highs will have something to prove when the girls’ basketball season begins in December.

Moorpark must show it belongs in the Marmonte League after jumping from the relatively weaker Frontier League.

The Falcons must prove that they can excel without All-American Michelle Greco and standout guard Tara Gregory.

The teams played Friday night for third place in the Bell-Jeff summer tournament, and Moorpark’s 45-42 overtime victory left both teams confident of the challenges ahead.

“We don’t have the great tradition of a Buena or programs like that, but I think we can be in that class,” Moorpark Coach Brent Milburn said. “We just have to sustain that for a longer period.”

Damaris Hinojosa, The Times’ Ventura County player of the year, had 17 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and five assists for Moorpark.

Hinojosa’s pass with 59 seconds left in overtime set up T.C. Plante’s layup that broke a 40-40 tie.

Cathleen Leaver had 10 points and Karin Hanson made two three-point baskets for the Musketeers.

Sinnamonn Garrett scored 19 points and Kristie Umemoto had 13 for Crescenta Valley (13-5), which won the Santa Clarita Shootout title earlier this summer.

In other tournament games:

Canyon 40, Crossroads 34--The Cowboys completed their best summer by winning the consolation title.

Janette Garcia scored 13 points and Katie Holdaway added 12 for Canyon, which overcame a 20-14 halftime deficit despite playing without forward Latricia Fleming.

The Cowboys (17-4), fourth in the Foothill League last season, had a 6-0 mark against league rivals.

Tiffany Cave scored 13 points and Sharon Yamauchi had 10 for Crossroads, which was without All-Southern Section forward Courtney Young.

Ayala (67-1) routed Morningside, 64-33, in the championship game. Fontana defeated Bell Gardens, 51-40, for fifth.