Thompson’s 42 Lead Temecula Valley Past Norco

Two of the most prolific scorers in the Southland faced off in the Southern Section Division I-AA quarterfinals on Saturday, and it came to a fitting climax. Jessie Thompson scored 42, and host Temecula Valley beat Norco, 78-67, ending the season for the second-seeded Cougars after 28 consecutive victories.

Thompson, a 5-10 guard headed to Boise State, easily outshone Texas-bound Erika Arriaran, the Norco star who has been responsible for the Cougars’ success. Thompson made 13 of 28 shots and 15 of 16 free throws to finish 17 points over her average. She also guarded Arriaran most of the night.

Arriaran scored 22 and had 12 rebounds on her worst shooting night of the season, if not her brilliant three-year career. She made only seven of 28 shots and was hampered by a third foul with 5 minutes 32 seconds left in the second quarter, which sent her to the bench with her team trailing, 30-23. Norco never got closer than four points after that.

“I’ve never seen a team play that consistent for a whole game,” Arriaran said of Temecula Valley, which shot 27 of 53 from the field and 20 of 27 from the free-throw line.

Trailing 57-41 going into the fourth quarter, Arriaran scored 14 of her 22 as Norco -- the No. 3-ranked team in the state -- got as close as 74-67 with 14 seconds remaining on Arriaran’s three-pointer, the final basket of her high school career. Shelley Hamlett added 20 points for Norco (28-1).

Jessica Kaller had 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Alyson Haley had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Golden Bears, who are going to the semifinals for the first time. Temecula Valley avenged a Jan. 22 loss to Norco, 73-62, in which Arriaran scored 29 and Thompson had 23.