Heads’ Up Play Wins for Newport Harbor

Gina Heads got warm just in time on a cold Saturday night.

In fact, 12 seconds later would have been too late for the Newport Harbor girls’ basketball team.

Heads was three for nine from the free-throw line before making two foul shots in the waning moments to help the Sailors sink Newbury Park, 43-41, in a Southern Section Division III-AA semifinal at Camarillo High.

Newport Harbor (22-6) plays Brea-Olinda in Saturday’s final.

Heads made only two of seven free throws before the fourth quarter. She tied the game, 41-41, by converting one of two free throws with 2:38 left.

“I think I was a little stiff in the beginning and my shots were flat,” said Heads, who finished with seven points. “I wasn’t getting up on my toes.”

Newbury Park (23-5) led throughout the first half and held a 30-23 advantage at the break. Newport Harbor held the Panthers scoreless for the first 3:58 and the final 4:06.

Genevieve Evarts led the Sailors on a 7-0 run to tie the score, 30-30, in the third period and nailed a 12-foot jumper at 2:18 to give Newport Harbor its first lead of the game, 34-33.