Today's tournament championship games

From IM in OC:

The South Coast Championship went to Santa Margarita, 51-44 over Woodbridge.

The game was close for nearly the first three quarters, and was tied at 35 with two minutes left to go in the third. Then SM went on a 7-0 run to end the period. Woodbridge then seemed to go ice cold, scoring only one basket and two free throws until 4:45 left in the fourth quarter. There was some trading of baskets after that, but the closest Woodbridge got was down 49-44 with less than a minute left.

Melissa Zorning finished with 16 points and was named Tournament MVP, which she deserved. Her games vs Edison and SC were the best two games I have seen her play over the past three-plus years.

In the third place game, Villa Park beat San Clemente 57-43. Nicole Ballestero and Brianna Salvatorre each had 15 points for the winners. Cassie Harberts had 27 points for SC.

Harberts was the high scorer for the tournament with 114 points, the second most points in the 16th year of the tournament.

The new face that impressed me was Woodbridges #3, Samantha Doucette. She played JV ball last year, and has looked great in all of the games I have seen her. She scored 22 points in the championship game.

Redondo Union Battle of the Beach final results:

Championship
Inglewood 46, Santa Monica 37

Third Place
Bishop Montgomery 64, St. Anthony 49

Silver Bracket

First Place
South Torrance 53, Redondo 50

Third Place
Serra 42, LB Millikan 33

Bronze Bracket

First Place
Palos Verdes 51, Peninsula 43

Third Place
Vista Del Lago 41, AB Miller 38

Tournament MVP was Inglewood's Hazel Ramirez, for her dominant offensive performance over the week. Rounding out the All-Tournament team was Janelle Ross and Deajanae Scurry of Inglewood, and Kristina Johnson and Sabrina Norton of Santa Monica.

Those in attendence were puzzling over Santa Monica Coach Marty Verdugo's decision to play star senior point guard Thea Lemberger for only about the first two minutes of the game. She didn't sustain any injuries or otherwise appear to have reason not to play. Very strange.

The two teams will match up again in regular league play on January 15.

In Hawaii, Long Beach Poly took the Iolani Classic Tournament in three easy steps, according to socalhoops.com:

First round: Mid Pacific (HI) vs Long Beach Poly 76-58 (W)

2nd round : # 25 Southridge (OR) vs Long Beach Poly 62-43 (W)

Championship : Long Beach Poly (Calif.) 69, #2 St. Michael Academy 47