Long Beach Poly, St. Anthony girls headed to CIF championships

The Long Beach Poly girls basketball team has been a dominant powerhouse over the last 15 years, but there’s one thing the Jackrabbits haven’t checked off the to-do list: win a CIF-SS Open Division championship. They’ll get a chance next week after topping Windward 55-42 at home in the Open semifinals Saturday.

“It feels great, we haven’t been in a few years and we want that first Open,” said Poly junior guard Danae Miller, who had 21 points. The Jackrabbits did win an Open Division state title in 2013.

Poly’s leading scorer on the season, Jasmine Jones, didn’t have one of her best nights. But you wouldn’t have known it from the way Poly played, rallying together and taking a 12-8 lead by the end of the first quarter, then never letting Windward get closer than two possessions.

“You know that’s why it’s a team game,” said Poly coach Carl Buggs. “If one player is struggling then we look for other people to step up.”

Several others did, most notably Miller, who was 4 of 5 from behind the 3-point line, easily sinking the open jumpers that the Wildcats’ sagging defense allowed her.

USC commit Ayaa Clark excelled once again as well with her second straight double-double. Clark finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.

The win means that Poly will play Chaminade for the championship, facing an Eagles team it already beat this year in a contest that has little to no bearing on the upcoming title tilt. The Jackrabbits were without Jones and the Eagles were missing Duke signee Leoa Odom. The Eagles easily dispensed with Sierra Canyon 63-29 to ea the right to face top-seeded Poly.

“We’re going to have to play,” said Buggs. “We’re going to have to really play.”

The time, date, and location for the championship will be aounced by the CIF-SS today at noon, and the Jackrabbits will pose a bit of a scheduling issue. Because Poly’s boys team also made the title game, the CIF-SS will try to make sure the games don’t overlap. Typically, both the Open Division girls game and the Division 1AA boys game are played Saturday evening.

Follow @PTGazetteSports for a live aouncement on where and when the games will be.

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‑ Mike Guardabascio

Division 4A

ST. ANTHONY 76, NOTRE DAME ACADEMY 39 >> The Saints won another easy playoff game, advancing to their first CIF championship game since 2011. The Saints will face Cantwell-Sacred Heart on Friday or Saturday, at a time and place to be aounced.

St. Anthony (20-11) has won four playoff games by margins of 41, 64, 39, and 37 points to ea its way into the championship.

Division 5A

HOLY MARTYRS 57, AVALON 50 >> The Lancers’ bid for a CIF title ended in the semifinals in a tight, back-and-forth game.

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