SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Shah Sparks Troy Past Western in Division III-AA

With Dinah Shah taking charge, Troy had little trouble defeating host Western, 70-47, in the opening round of the Division III-AA girls’ basketball playoffs Saturday night in Anaheim.

Shah had 12 points, nine assists, five steals and four rebounds to pace the Freeway League co-champions to the easy victory. Troy (19-6) will play Bishop Montgomery in the second round Wednesday.

“Sometimes she is so quick that even her teammates have trouble keeping up with her,” Troy Coach Brad Sand said. “We were a little worried that we would run ourselves out of the game.”

There was little doubt of that as the Warriors never trailed and made 20 of 35 from the field in the first half for a 40-17 lead.

The game was so one-sided that Sand was able to give all of his players an opportunity to compete in the playoffs, including three called up from the junior varsity.

Jennie Gadd led Troy’s scoring with 20 points; Julie Haeger (11) and Heidi Hardeman (10) also scored in double figures.

Jennifer Christensen scored 13 points and Adrienne Ratajczak had 11 for Western (12-10).

Western helped to contribute to Troy’s big first half by making only one of 10 free throws and committing 10 turnovers, eight in the first quarter, when Troy took a 22-7 lead.