Sowers’ seventh-grade girls win basketball title

The Sowers Middle School seventh-grade girls’ basketball team won its

division for the third consecutive year by scoring a 34-23 victory

over Surf City rival Dwyer in the championship game.

Dwyer led by as many as six points through the first three

quarters of play, combining an aggressive full-court press and

physical play inside.

But the Oilers had two players foul out and two others in foul

trouble in the fourth quarter and Sowers made its move.

The Lady Vikings converted eight of 15 free throws.

Kelly Peterson led Sowers with 13 points and had a team-best 12

rebounds.

In four playoff games, dating to her sixth-grade year, Peterson

averaged 13 points per game.

Mary Madden scored eight points in the second half after going

scoreless in the first. Guard Janene Chavez scored a season-high six

points, Michelle Yamasaki matched five points with five rebounds and

Michelle Tseng contributed to the Sowers’ cause off the bench.

“In the final quarter, once we got the lead, we were able to run

the clock and put the game away,” Sowers coach Kyle Morita said.

“Still, they’re a very good team. We don’t look forward to playing

them again next year.”

In the eighth-grade title game:

Ensign 20, Sowers 17

Ensign of Newport Beach converted three of four free throws in the

final minute to hand Sowers its first loss of the season.

Sowers had several chances in the closing seconds to come back,

but could not convert its shots.

The Lady Vikings trailed, 17-15, when Dalia Wahab stole and

inbounds pass and hit teammate Bree Williston with a behind-the-back

pass, which Williston converted into the tying basket.

Williston, despite playing on a tightly-wrapped sprained ankle,

led Sowers with six points and rebounding with eight.

Leslie De Jesus, playing with a strained abdomen muscle, scored

five points and had three steals.

“We gave it our best shot,” Morita said. “When Dalia made that

steal and Bree converted, I thought we had that old Sowers’ magic.

“I never have enjoyed working with a group of girls more than this

one. It would have been nice to win one more championship before they

went to Edison, but they’ve had a great run. We’re going to miss

these kids a lot.”