GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS / DIVISION II-A

Pacifica (22-7) vs. Laguna Hills (17-13)

1 TODAY LONG BEACH STATE PYRAMID

This improbable Division II-A championship matchup features contrasting teams that took different paths to get here. Pacifica, powered by its guard play and a high-pressure defense, won its sixth consecutive Garden Grove League title; three of its four playoff victories were against teams with losing records. Laguna Hills, which prefers the 2-3 zone defense and a halfcourt offense, had a brutal nonleague schedule, finished third in the Sea View League and, despite being 13-13 entering the playoffs, posted back-to-back wins over No. 2 Bishop Amat and No. 3 Newbury Park. Megan Aaker’s success against Pacifica’s pressure likely determines the winner.

KEY PLAYERS

Pacifica

PG Diana Barreras, Sr.

17.5 pts., 3.6 asts.

G Dominique Valencia, Sr.

13.5 pts.

F Lindsay Skeber, Jr.

8.2 pts., 3 rebs.

Laguna Hills

PG Megan Aaker, So.

18.0 pts., 3.5 rebs

F Shannon Owens, Sr.

13.2 pts., 9.3 rebs.

F Courtney D’Alessandro, Jr.

4.1 pts., 4.4 rebs.