GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Rancho Alamitos Holds Off Kennedy to Win Title

Rancho Alamitos clinched the Garden Grove League girls’ basketball championship for the third year in a row by holding off Kennedy, 68-54, Wednesday night at Kennedy High School.

The Fighting Irish were able to convert only six of 35 shots from the field in the first half, and Rancho Alamitos (17-4, 11-0) took a 34-15 lead at halftime.

But Kennedy (15-6, 8-3 in league) came back in the third quarter, outscoring the Vaqueros, 18-11. The Fighting Irish went on a 9-0 run to pull within 39-33, but it would be the closest they would come.

Kennedy outrebounded Rancho Alamitos, 22-16, in the second half, but the Fighting Irish got into foul trouble. Kennedy committed 37 of the game’s 53 fouls and had four starters foul out.

“It wasn’t the best-played game either team has ever had,” Rancho Alamitos Coach Bob Becker said. “But it was a game that we needed. We needed a tight ballgame.”

Kennedy Coach Karen Wolfe was even more impressed. “This makes our year,” she said. “We almost upset them.”

Akilah Rodgers led Rancho Alamitos with 21 points before fouling out, and Timerie James added 14 points and 13 rebounds. Lynly Matsumoto scored 18 points for Kennedy.