Surprising Lynwood to Face Point Loma Girls

In terms of size, the Lynwood High School girls’ basketball team does not match up with Point Loma. Forward Shurell Johnson, at 5-feet 9-inches, is the Knights’ tallest player.

But that doesn’t mean the Knights won’t match up well at 6 tonight when they play the Pointers in the Division I Southern Regional championship game at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Lynwood (28-3) didn’t match up against previously unbeaten Buena (26-0) or Muir (29-0), either, but the Knights beat both teams last week to win the CIF Southern Section 4-A title. Nor were they as big as Delano (26-0), which they overwhelmed, 61-41, Thursday in a regional semifinal game.

Instead, they have used speed to become giant killers. Point Loma (29-1), led by its front line of Jessica Benton (6-4), Terri Mann (6-2) and Michelle Collum (6-0), will provide the Knights with their most formidable test yet.

Lynwood is led by sophomore Trise Johnson, a 5-8 guard/forward who averages 18 points a game.

“They’re extremely quick, definitely the quickest team we’ve seen,” said Lee Trepanier, Point Loma coach. “And they’re well coached. They have a good full-court press and play tough defense. And defense is what wins games, especially at this level.”