Quadruple Double for North Hollywood Means No Big Dance

Same place. Same teams. Same round. Same story.

For the second consecutive year, the North Hollywood High girls’ basketball team was unable to keep up with Palisades, losing, 74-75, on Saturday in the City Championship semifinals at L.A. Southwest College.

“They are awesome,” North Hollywood Coach Rich Allen said of the top-seeded Dolphins, who defeated the Huskies, 73-50, in the semifinals on the same court last year.

“They may be the best team in the state. We were hoping for a different result this time.”

Palisades (25-4) scored the first 11 points, forcing the Huskies (22-6) to play catch-up the rest of the way.

Senior guard Markia Derby led fourth-seeded North Hollywood with 14 points and Angelle Hill added 12 before fouling out with 2:10 left. Tashean Thomas scored 11 points, including three three-point baskets.

Senior point guard Leilani Estevan led Palisades with 18 points, seven assists and five steals. Forward Nicole Funn-Lockley scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

North Hollywood closed to within 46-33 early in the third quarter on Derby’s three-point basket, but the Dolphins answered with a 9-0 run.

Palisades outrebounded North Hollywood, 32-15, and had 22 fast-break baskets. The Huskies managed only two transition baskets and four offensive rebounds.