Brea Rallies, Wins Tournament

Chelsea Trotter called it the worst first half she has ever played, but she converted a drive with 6.8 seconds remaining in the game that helped provide Brea Olinda with a 50-47 come-from-behind victory Saturday over Palos Verdes Peninsula to win the 19th Ladycat Classic.

Brea, ranked No. 1 in Orange County, is 5-0. Peninsula, with four starters back from last year’s Southern Section Division I-AA champion, is 3-1.

“I told the kids before the game, and it turned to be prophetic, that we would win by 25 because we dictate tempo, or it would be a two-point game we could win or lose at the buzzer if they dictate tempo and we don’t execute.”

The latter is what happened as Peninsula held a 45-41 lead with less than three minutes remaining. Brea made five of seven free throws, and Trotter drove the lane for the big basket, giving the Ladycats a 48-47 lead.

“I thought we were going to lose,” said Trotter, the tournament’s most valuable player who finished with a game-high 15--10 in the second half. She also had 11 rebounds. “It was really frustrating. I didn’t want to leave knowing my team might lose because I played so terribly.”

Trotter was fouled on the play but missed the free throw, and Jeri Costello was whistled for fouling Peninsula’s Kimberly York.

York, a 75% free-throw shooter, missed and Kate Ides grabbed the rebound.

Davidson (10 points, three steals) made two free throws with two seconds left, and Peninsula’s Lauryn Morita’s half-court shot bounced off the rim at the buzzer. Morita (13 points) made three three-pointers.

Brea committed 19 turnovers, 14 in the first half, several by Trotter. Brea had the game’s biggest lead, 37-31, going into the fourth quarter.

Jackie Lord scored 10 points for Brea.

Peninsula shot only 14 of 48 from the field, but was 12 of 17 from the three-point arc. Brea, when it didn’t turn the ball over, made 18 of 40 shots.

“We needed this,” said Davidson, pointing to next week’s national Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara. “It’s important our poise is tested. If it isn’t, we can get caught off guard.