City Section Girls’ Basketball Playoffs

North Hollywood 70, University 59--North Hollywood fulfilled its end of the commitment, beating University to set up a rematch for the City 3-A title.

The Huskies, who include eight members of last season’s team, insist last year’s loss to Reseda has instilled confidence.

“I don’t care if we are playing the Clippers or if we are playing Reseda again,” North Hollywood Coach Rich Allen said. “Going back to the finals is incredible.”

Leticia Carranza led North Hollywood (17-4) with 22 points and Michelle Cabaldon added 18. The Huskies shot 50% from the field (34 of 68), turned the ball over only 6 times and had 19 steals.

Carranza scored eight points in the first half as North Hollywood took a 38-34 halftime lead. University (19-3) narrowed the lead to 52-50 at the end of the third quarter as Kesha Martin scored 12 of the Warriors’ 16 points in the period.

“Everybody was asking us if we were going to make a special difference in guarding Kesha,” Allen said. “She’s a great player, but our goal was to not let one person be five people.”

Martin, who was averaging 31 points a game in the playoffs, finished with 35 before fouling out with 2:24 left. She also had 13 rebounds.

“We weren’t going to key on Martin,” Allen said.