SAN DIEGO SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : 2-A Girls : La Jolla Diversifies Attack to Beat San Pasqual, 44-40

SAN DIEGO —  La Jolla High School proved it was not a one-player team in its 44-40 victory Saturday over San Pasqual at the San Diego Section 2-A girls’ championship game in the Sports Arena.

Throughout the season, the play of guard Nicole Anderson, one of San Diego’s leading scorers, has dictated La Jolla’s success. Stop Anderson, stop La Jolla.

But La Jolla (18-5) did not depend on Anderson Saturday, as Vera Littleton, Michelle Lolly and Stacy Datnow all helped to defeat San Pasqual (20-6).

Center Littleton and forward Lolly combined for 16 offensive rebounds against the shorter Golden Eagles. Guard Datnow helped open the tight 1-3-1 San Pasqual zone by scoring 10 points from the outside.

When Cari Young, San Pasqual center--the team’s tallest player at 5-feet 9-inches--fouled out with 1:17 left in the third quarter and La Jolla leading, 33-24, it appeared that the game would become a blowout.

“We needed the inside game,” said Lori Schwalbach, La Jolla coach. “She (Young) is their height. We wanted her out of the game. We wanted to go inside to get her out.”

La Jolla increased its lead to 40-28 with 5:42 left, but then San Pasqual, one of the county’s best defensive teams, rallied.

With La Jolla leading, 42-38, Julie Doria stole the ball from Anderson and scored a layup to cut the deficit to 42-40 with 1:27 left. San Pasqual had two chances to tie, but Nicole Rothey’s baseline jumper bounced off the rim with 50 seconds left, and Doria’s eight-foot shot attempt was blocked and controlled by Littleton with 25 seconds remaining.

Littleton, a 5-10 senior, had 23 rebounds, 11 points and 3 blocked shots and was a big reason why Rothey, San Pasqual’s leading scorer, was held to 9 points on 4-for-17 shooting.

Anderson scored 13 points on 5-for-20 shooting and had 8 rebounds.