Village Christian Stopped in War of Crusaders, 62-33

LONG BEACH —  The Village Christian High girls’ basketball team entered its Southern Section Division IV-A final Saturday against four-time defending champion Cerritos Valley Christian with visions of David defeating Goliath.

But in this battle between teams called Crusaders, Goliath held ground as Valley Christian won its fifth consecutive title, 62-33, at the Pyramid.

Village Christian (19-8) shot just 23% from the field and did not score a point until 7 minutes and 30 seconds into the game.

Valley Christian (26-0) rattled off 15 consecutive points and created eight first-quarter turnovers with its full-court trap defense, taking an 18-2 lead after the first quarter.

Village Christian turned the ball over 25 times and scored just two points in the final 5:35.

“We were overmatched by a better team,” Village Christian Coach John Domke said.

“I don’t feel like we laid down. We just weren’t able to do the little things that got us here. It’s very frustrating to see that happen.”

Village Christian guard Lindy James, an All-Southern Section pick who was averaging 21 points, scored just nine. The trouble was she still led the team.

“The shots just weren’t falling,” James said of her three-for-13 shooting performance. “It was another one of those off [days].”

Valley Christian guard Kiyoko Miller had 21 points and seven steals.

Valley Christian, which led, 38-13, at halftime, extended its lead to 45-16 midway through the third quarter.