Chen brings the ball up the court in the first half. (Photo by Tia Chen)
(La Canada) – For the third time in four seasons, La Canada mastered Corona Del Mar to advance into the Quarterfinals of the CIF 3-A playoffs with a 56-50 victory.
The Spartans survived having four players in foul trouble for much of the game and the loss of Micaela Anderson inside, thanks enparte to Keillee Bessho’s six points in the fourth quarter and Courtney Chen’s eight points to help hold off a surging Sea Queens rally late in the game.
After Lauren Barsamian’s lay-up midway through the final quarter, La Canada appeared to be heading to a authoritative victory as it led by the games largest margin 18 points.
That lead quickly shrunk to six in a span of two minutes as Melanie de Arakal scored 10 points and Jordan Meyers scored four to give the La Canada faithful a nail-biting finish.
Down the stretch, it was Chen who provided a calming influence down the stretch drawing fouls and sinking five of her six free throw attempts down the stretch to keep Corona Del Mar at bay.
Early on, the Spartans clicked on offense against the 1-3-1 zone applied by the Sea Queens as Chen found Barsamian twice down low in the post for layups as La Canada raced to a 13-3 lead to begin the game.
As with every Spartan game, it allowed the Sea Queens back into the game early in the second quarter. Meyers hit a three pointer to begin a 13-3 run by Corona Del Mar. Katie Scott closed the gap with 4:06 remaining in the half with old-fashioned three-point play.
Barsamian and Mary Peck scored the next six points before the second quarter buzzer sounded to send the La Canada into the break up by eight.
To begin the third quarter, the Spartans went on a 11-5 run to widen its lead as Chen took control scoring eight points during the run.
Chen finished the evening with a game-high 19 points with Barsamian and Bessho each pouring in 14 in the win.
A chance at redemption awaits La Canada as they travel to Covina for a chance at a semifinal berth.
Earlier in the season, the Spartans lost to the Colts 51-27.
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