Redondo’s girls basketball team enters the postseason on a high note after overcoming a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat host Mira Costa and capture its second consecutive Bay League championship last Thursday.
The Sea Hawks survived another scare from its rival by going scoring the game’s final 10 points in a 44-40 win Thursday evening.
Kyra Hamlin led Redondo with 17 points and 15 rebounds and Lauren Tsuneishi contributed eight points in the win.
Redondo (18-8, 10-0) ran the table in league competition but needed to hold off a scrappy Mira Costa team twice. The Sea Hawks defeated the visiting Mustangs 44-34 in overtime on Jan. 26.
Allie Navarette continues to be the go-to player for Mira Costa (18-8, 8-2) scoring 13 points Thursday. Halle Maeda added nine points.
“Of course losing against Redondo at home was devastating for everyone but I know it will only make us tougher,” Navarette said. “It will provide so much motivation for our team going into the playoffs and truly showed us how bad we want and need to win CIF. That game really taught everyone a lot about trusting each other on the court and sticking together in close games to pull out a win.”
Coach Marcelo Enriquez’s Redondo squad will carry the momentum into Thursday’’s CIF-Southern Section playoffs where they will vie for the Division 1AA crown. The Sea Hawks captured the 2AA title last season defeating Mira Costa in the championship game.
Redondo hosts winless Fountain Valley (0-26) in the first round. All games with the exception of the finals are slated for 7 p.m.
Second-round games will be held Saturday followed by the quarterfinals (Wednesday, Feb. 24), semifinals (Saturday, Feb. 27) and the finals on Friday and Saturday, Mar. 4-5.
Also competing in Division 1AA, Pioneer League runner-up West Torrance (21-6) hosts Jordan (14-11), while Bishop Montgomery (t13-15) hosts Lakewood (14-12).
Mira Costa earned the top seed in Division 1A and will host Schurr (12-13). Led by Allie Navarette (leading scorer and rebounder), the Mustangs have had solid seasons by fellow juniors Mia Finney, Halle Maeda and Laura Sheckter. Sophomore Haley Herdman has also impressed coach John Lapham.
In Division 2AA, Pioneer League champion North Torrance (15-10) hosts Kaiser (10-12).
In Division 2A, Lawndale (17-7) hosts Northwood (11-14), Torrance (15-10) travels to Rio Mesa (12-13) and Hawthorne (9-15) is at Cerritos (15-10).
In Division 3AA, South Torrance (16-10) is at Hillcrest (13-9).
In Division 3A, Palos Verdes (15-12) hosts Granite Hills (10-8) and Leuzinger (16-13) hosts Bellflower (8-11).
In Division 4AA, El Segundo (15-11) hosts Nipomo (14-12).
Championship games will be held March 4-5 for all divisions.
Playoff brackets are available at cifss.org.
