GIRLS’ BASKETBALL / SUNSET LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Barons Get Past Marina

Fountain Valley’s Erin Avila stole an inbounds pass, got fouled and made two free throws with four seconds left in the game, giving the Barons a 50-49 victory over Marina in Sunset League girls’ basketball Thursday at Fountain Valley.

The victory clinches the league title for No. 5 Fountain Valley (19-5, 8-0). Marina (16-6, 4-4) falls into a tie for third with 10th-ranked Esperanza (16-7, 4-4).

After battling back from a 13-point deficit at halftime, the fifth-ranked Vikings had a 49-48 lead and the ball with six seconds remaining in the game. Avila jumped in front of Norie Nakase’s inbounds pass and put up a 10-foot jumper. The shot missed and Avila was fouled by Marina’s Sonya Bryant with four seconds left.

“I hoped the first shot was going in,” Avila said. “I was very nervous. I tried to block out the crowd and I prayed to God. He answered.”

Avila made both free throws. The Vikings were unable to get off a decent shot as time ran out. Avila finished with a game-high 17 points.

Fountain Valley, playing without starting center Heather Basco (flu), took a 16-10 lead after one quarter. The Barons led, 33-20, at the half.

Marina held Fountain Valley’s leading scorers, Jennifer Ludwicki and Nicole Strange, to five points each by halftime and nine each in the game. But Avila took charge, scoring 10 points and grabbing five rebounds in the first half. The Barons outrebounded Marina, 17-8, in the first half.

In the second half, Marina tightened its defense and started the third quarter with a 9-0 run. Causing five turnovers, the Vikings outscored the Barons, 17-6, pulling to within two at the end of quarter.

Natalie Nakase finished with 13 points for Marina. Shandy Robbins, who fouled out of the game with two minutes left, had 12 points and nine rebounds.

In other Sunset League games:

Edison 52, Los Alamitos 30--Marie Philman scored 19 points for sixth-ranked Edison (16-5, 5-3), which moved into sole possession of second place.

Huntington Beach 61, Esperanza 46--Phouvangmaly Pravonguiengkham scored 19 points in the upset over 10th-ranked Esperanza (16-7, 4-4). Renee Kimoto added 18 for the Oilers (13-10, 3-5).