1982-83: Girls Play for Title Before Season Begins

The girls were playing for a state playoff berth for the first time…

…before the start of their regular seasons.

That’s because the regular season still was in the spring in the San Diego Section, while the rest of California (and most other places where there is a court and a ball) plays basketball in the winter.

Patrick Henry represented San Diego in 3-A.

The Patriots got there by splitting a doubleheader.

They benched their starters and lost to Torrey Pines in a morning game at Coronado’s preseason tournament.

Playing their starters, Henry then topped Fallbrook, 54-46, in the evening at Serra High.

Point Loma received the 2-A invitation by defeating Ramona, 53-23, and Francis Parker got the nod in 1-A.

SOUTHERN  CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

FIRST ROUND

3-A

Patrick Henry 45, Reedley 42 (24-1). 

“I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Patriots coach John Ferguson after his team knocked off the unbeaten Central Section power at Long Beach State.

2-A

Point Loma 59, Artesia 44.

The Pointers were seasoned by a winter league schedule of 14 games.

1-A

McFarland (25-1) 59, Francis Parker 31 (4-1). 

“We managed to hang in there until we ran out of gas,” said Lancers coach John Cook.

More than 200 students and fans stocked up on petrol and made a field trip out of the 270-mile jaunt to the small community north of Bakersfield and home of the Central Section representative.

SEMIFINALS

3-A

Ventura Buena 80, Patrick Henry 34 (7-2).

Buena coach Joe Vaughn reportedly said to his starters, after a 23-8 first quarter, “Show no mercy.”

The Henry girls now got ready for their regular season.

CHAMPIONSHIP

2-A

Thousand Oaks La Reina (27-4) 51, Point Loma 42 (6-1).

Point Loma coach Lee Trepanier decided to have his team to play an earlier game in the Morse Tournament and then embark on the two-hour drive for the game at Long Beach State.

The Pointers led, 20-14, in the second quarter but trailed, 41-30, after three quarters.