Central Valley girls advance to title game at GEICO Nationals
NEW YORK – Following its State 4A championship win over Woodinville on March 3, the Central Valley girls basketball team created shirts that read: “Our defense wins championships.”
On Friday at the GEICO High School Nationals at Christ the King High School in New York City, the team embodied that slogan.
CV used a quick start – opening up a 26-8 first-half lead – and overcame a tricky travel schedule and a long, athletic Westlake (Georgia) team for a 70-57 win in the semifinals of the tournament.
CV (28-0) forced 17 turnovers, including 10 in the first half, and used 30 points and 13 rebounds by senior Lexie Hull to resist a late Westlake rally and earn a championship bid at 7 a.m. (PDT) today against Hamilton Heights (Tennessee), which defeated Winter Haven (Florida) 62-49 and is ranked No. 1 by USA Today.
“We got a little rattled today,” CV coach Freddie Rehkow said. “(But) these girls are competitors. Most have played AAU basketball and have been to the Chicagos and the San Diegos.”
CV harried Westlake’s ballhandlers, as well as 6-foot-1 forward and Texas Tech commit Taylor Hosendove (17 points, 7-of-18 shooting), forcing them into off-balance shots and preventing putbacks.
“We’ve learned what an important part of the game defense is,” Lexie Hull said.
“(Our defense is so strong) because we play in practice like we play in games,” senior Hailey Christopher added. “In your face.”
CV opened up leads of 15-8 and 26-8 with 5 minutes, 37 seconds left in the second quarter.
“Their transition offense gave us trouble,” Westlake coach Hilda Hankerson said.
Westlake changed the game’s dynamic opening the second half, pressing on defense at midcourt, attacking the passing lanes, and becoming more physical with Lexie and Lacey Hull. After CV’s lead was cut to 39-26 with 5:11 left in the third quarter, Rehkow called timeout.
Westlake’s shots began falling, but CV held steady. The Bears maintained nearly a double-digit lead throughout and weathered six fourth-quarter 3-pointers from Westlake to hold on for the win.
Saturday’s challenge in the championship is more formidable.
“It’s a tall task,” Rehkow said of Hamilton Heights, which has a slew of highly ranked players. “We’re tall and skinny. They’re big, tall and strong.”