SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : III-A Girls : Rancho Alamitos vs. South Hills, 9:30 a.m.

SITE--Bren Center

RECORDS--Rancho Alamitos (20-2), West Covina South Hills (24-2).

RANCHO ALAMITOS--The Vaqueros, seeded fourth in the division, are in the finals for the second time in three years. They got there by beating Costa Mesa, 75-74, in overtime in the semifinals Tuesday on two free throws by Timerie James with five seconds to play. Coach Bob Becker would like to see Rancho Alamitos, which is on a 19-game winning streak, carry that momentum into this morning’s game. “The game against Costa Mesa was real emotional,” Becker said. “I hope we can go out and play with that same intensity against South Hills.” Becker says the Vaqueros are good enough to stay with South Hills. “Other than the big girl (6-foot-2 1/2 center Stephanie Cude), we should match up pretty well with them,” Guard Shannon James (15.7 points) and forward Anita Stecker (15.5) lead the Vaqueros offensively. Forward Akilah Rodgers averages 9.8 rebounds and 11.9 points.

SOUTH HILLS--With a double-post offense that capitalizes on the inside games of Cude and Stephanie Ring, the Huskies can muscle their way to points. Ring averages 15.9 points and Cude 14.7. Although only 5-7, Ring crashes the boards with abandon; she had a season-high 28 rebounds in one game. Coach Paul Reed said he likes his team to run, but will try to play more of a half-court offense today to take advantage of Cude’s size. Guard Tiffany Hall is the team’s third-leading scorer with an 11.3 average. South Hills is seeded first in the division but had to go into overtime to defeat defending-champion St. Bernard, 74-70, in the semifinals Wednesday.

KEY TO THE GAME--The Vaqueros have to neutralize Cude. South Hills must keep its composure and avoid turnovers when pressed.

CONSENSUS--Rancho Alamitos will use its tenacious full-court press and quick transition game to win.

Starting Lineups

RANCHO ALAMITOS

P Name Ht. Avg. F Anita Stecker 5-9 15.5 F Timerie James 5-9 10.6 F Lashanda Randle 5-9 7.9 G Tracy Keller 5-3 8.0 G Shannon James 5-6 15.7

Coach: Bob Becker

SOUTH HILLS

P Name Ht. Avg. F Karri Lentz 5-7 4.5 F Stephanie Ring 5-7 15.9 C Stephanie Cude 6-2 1/2 14.7 G Tiffany Hall 5-2 11.3 G Danielle Raabe 5-6 6.7

Coach: Paul Reed