Warriors Not Reticent After Defeat

Brethren Christian Coach Kim Harris stood in front of her players after a loss Tuesday to Cerritos Valley Christian and said she didn’t have much to say to them. She walked out, but her team talked for 40 minutes.

The players-only meeting was the highlight of the night for the Warriors, who lost to Valley Christian, 35-28, in a critical Olympic League matchup.

Second-place Brethren Christian is 12-8, 3-2. It is two games behind Calvary Chapel and tied with Valley Christian (14-6, 3-2), which defeated the Warriors three times last season, including in the Division IV-A semifinals.

It’s the 12th consecutive loss to Valley Christian in Harris’ five years as coach.

“I’m not even frustrated,” Harris said before her solemn-faced players emerged from the locker room. “I’m just mad. I’ve already been frustrated.”

There were plenty of things to stir Harris’ emotions and the players’ conversation. They could start with the 32 turnovers--11 in the fourth quarter and 10 after the team cut a 27-21 deficit to three points in the first 1 minute 21 seconds of the fourth quarter.

Twice, the Warriors turned the ball over seven times in eight possessions--once after taking a 14-8 lead, another after rallying to 29-26 in the fourth quarter.

Cindy Oparah had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Rachael MacDonald had 10 points and 13 rebounds; only three players scored. MacDonald shot four for 15 from the field and scored seven fewer than her average.

Brethren Christian shot 12 of 38 from the field and missed layups, putbacks and even the rim on 15-footers. Valley Christian was 16 of 60.

The Warriors’ Sarah Muilenburg, in a diamond-and-one defense, held Sarah Middlebrook to only three points. Middlebrook, averaging about 15 points, is Valley Christian’s leading scorer.

“If Middlebrook scores only three points,” Harris asked, “how does Valley win?”

That was a topic afterward.

In another Olympic League game:

Calvary Chapel 61, Orange Lutheran 45--Christy Ring scored 20 points for Calvary Chapel (17-3, 5-0). Cathy Joens added 15. Jennifer Ritter had 11 points and seven rebounds for Orange Lutheran (4-14, 2-3).