GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Brea-Olinda Finally Runs By Woodbridge

Brea-Olinda defeated Woodbridge, 61-28, in the championship game of the Irvine girls’ tournament Saturday night at Irvine High School. But the score didn’t reflect the teams’ in-your-face intensity.

Junior Nicole Erickson scored a game-high 24 points in three quarters for Brea-Olinda (4-0), including a spectacular basket from 50 feet at the halftime buzzer that gave the Ladycats a 23-11 lead.

Woodbridge was playing without All-County point guard Flo Luppani, who tore a ligament in her right knee in Friday’s semifinal game against Capistrano Valley. Luppani is out for the season.

“I think Woodbridge would have beat us if they didn’t have Luppani hurt,” Brea-Olinda Coach Mark Trakh said. “Both teams did a job defensively, but I feel bad about what’s happened to them.”

Woodbridge Coach Eric Bangs said that even with Luppani, who made the all-tournament team, it would be difficult to beat Brea.

“We would have had a little better game, but obviously we can’t regroup in one game,” Bangs said.

Erickson was named most valuable player of the tournament. Teammate Lee Moulin was the Ladycats’ second-leading scorer with 13 points and Woodbridge’s Jamie Oenning had a team-high nine points.