Rankings Game Goes to No. 10

SANTA BARBARA — The Crescenta Valley High girls’ basketball team had Arizona Chaparral’s number on Friday night.

It was nine.

The Falcons, ranked No. 10 in the western United States by Cal-Hi Sports, routed No. 9-ranked Chaparral, 62-39, in the first round of gold division play in the Tournament of Champions at Santa Barbara City College, and they weren’t hesitant to share their motivation.

“We want to make a statement that we’re a team to be reckoned with,” said Michelle Greco, Crescenta Valley’s All-American guard who had 25 points, nine steals and seven assists. “We feel we’re deserving of a national ranking.”

The Falcons (4-0), not included in USA Today’s national rankings, can take a significant step toward such recognition tonight at 8:30, when they are expected to face top-rated New York Christ the King in a second-round game.

The Royals have five players committed to Division I colleges, including Connecticut-bound guard Sue Bird, the 1996-97 New York City player of the year.

Greco has committed to UCLA.

Before Friday’s game against Chaparral (9-4), Crescenta Valley used a locker-room chalk board to note the regional rankings. Beside Chaparral’s No. 9, guard Tara Gregory scrawled, “What they think they are.”

Gregory, who finished with 10 points and seven steals, placed a “No. 1” next to Crescenta Valley’s name, then wrote, “What we know.”

After a game in which the Falcons forced 30 turnovers against Arizona’s No. 2-ranked 4-A team, Gregory added the final note beside her school’s name: “Now they know.”

Joe English, Chaparral’s coach, conceded his team could not match Crescenta Valley’s speed and quickness, a disparity that allowed the Falcons to attempt 66 shots to the Firebirds’ 35.

“We’re from Arizona,” English said. “Reptiles and other slow things are from Arizona. This was a learning experience.”

Sinnamonn Garrett had 15 points and seven rebounds and Kristie Umemoto had eight points for Crescenta Valley, which has forced 111 turnovers in four games.

“Defense is what wins games and championships,” said Damian Scribner, Crescenta Valley’s first-year coach. “Our defensive goal every night is to keep the opponent under 50 points. We think we have the weapons to score at least 51 on a given night.”

In other tournament games:

Harvard-Westlake 58, Rincon Valley Christian 36--The Wolverines forced 12 turnovers in a 21-0 fourth-quarter blitz against the defending Division V state champions.

Omelogo Udeze had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Corrie Roberts had 12 points and seven steals and L’Tanya Robnett scored 11 points for Harvard-Westlake (7-1), ranked No. 5 in the region by The Times.

The Wolverines meet Arroyo Grande, a 49-31 winner over Arrowhead Christian, tonight in a Green Division quarterfinal.

Nordhoff 53, San Marcos 44--Erin Barker scored 16 points for the Rangers (7-0), who today meet top-seeded Riverside North in another Green Division quarterfinal.

Nell Becker scored 12 points and 6-foot-5 junior center Christen Roper had eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Hanford 52, Palmdale 37--Vonetta Lanier scored 13 points for Palmdale (3-4) in a Green Division second-round game.