Costa Mesa girls win in overtime

Steve Virgen

When overtime comes, the one left standing is the one who wants it

most, and in Friday night’s Pacific Coast League matchup the one would

capture the league’s third-place CIF playoff representative.

The Costa Mesa High girls basketball team was the one after outscoring

Northwood, 11-2, in overtime, as junior Rhondi Naff scored five of her

game-high 25 points in the extra period leading to a 58-49 victory at

University High.

Naff, who hit 10 of 15 from the foul line, consistently dribbled out

of the double and either found an open teammate (three assists), drew a

foul or nailed the shot.

“We didn’t give up,” said Naff, who scored 23 points in a 55-29 win

over Laguna Beach Thursday and 19 in a 43-30 win over CdM Thursday as the

Mustangs have won six of their last nine. “Our defense, we stayed tough

throughout.”

The Mustangs (12-15, 5-5 in league) earned their 13th straight

postseason appearance by creating 27 turnovers, including 19 steals. Naff

recorded five steals.

Costa Mesa Christine Caron scored 10 points and provided solid defense

on Northwood’s Aabria Lipscomb (19 points), who shot 3 of 16 from the

field. Junior Rickell Reeves also matched up with Lipscomb, scored seven

points off the bench and grabbed eight rebounds.

“I’m really proud of this team,” said Mesa Coach Jim Weeks. “We

overcame so much adversity. We’ve won six of our last nine and that shows

this team never quits.”

Mesa trailed 45-42 with 1:15 left in regulation, but then outscored

Northwood, 5-2, down the stretch. Senior Jasmine Grewal made both free

throws with a minute left, senior Crystina Poncher went 1 for 2 from the foul line and Naff sank two free throws with 27 seconds left to provide a

47-45 lead.

But Northwood scored with 23 seconds left and then Mesa committed a

turnover. The Timberwolves (9-17, 5-5) missed an open shot at the buzzer.