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Buena Park girls basketball players Jordyn McKnight and Kerianne Ta’aga said the volume in their locker room at halftime Friday rose to shouts for more energy.
The Coyotes trailed Godinez by 12 points in a bid to defend their Empire League title.
“We know we can do better than the first half,” Ta’aga said.
Buena Park stayed united in the second half and showcased a few skills that will serve them well in the upcoming playoffs.
The Coyotes used their half-court trap defense, rebounding and free throw shooting to rally past host Godinez 59-48 to claim a third consecutive league championship.
Ta’aga, a freshman, scored 13 of her game-high 17 points in the second half and had three steals for Buena Park (19-5, 7-0), ranked No. 16 in Orange County. McKnight, a senior forward, had 11 points, 20 rebounds, four steals and one block.
Seniors Jojo Holder and Destiny McNabb also reached double figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
For a team that aspires to make a playoff run, the second-half surge was timely.
“They did us a favor by giving us a game because we do need that going into the playoffs,” Buena Park coach DeAnthony Wiley said. “Godinez’s (A.J. Alaman) is a great coach.”
“Division 2 or 3, somewhere in there, I think we fit pretty good (for the playoffs),” Wiley added. “We’re just not that deep this year. … The starters are really, really good.”
Buena Park effectively trapped Godinez (13-11, 6-2) as it crossed half court in the third quarter. The pressure cooled off Godinez, which shot 54 percent (14 of 26) from the floor in the first half.
The Coyotes took their first lead at 36-35 on a free throw by McKnight with 1:55 left in the third.
A 3-pointer from the corner by Ta’aga with 46 seconds remaining in the third gave Buena Park the lead for good at 39-37.
The Coyotes outscored Godinez 19-3 in the third period and held the Grizzlies to 1 for 11 from the floor.
“I’m really proud of us,” said McKnight, the daughter of former Kennedy star athlete Rhema McKnight. “That was a tough start to that game for sure. Glad we were able to reel it back in and come back stronger in the second half.”
In the fourth, Godinez senior Valeria Arcos sank a 3-pointer to trim Buena Park’s lead to 43-42 but the Coyotes responded with a 10-0 run to take control.
Ta’aga scored on a baseline floater and breakaway layup during the surge.
Buena Park went 8 for 9 from the foul line in the fourth.
Arcos sank four 3-pointers en route to 12 points. Valerie Esteban scored 15 points for Godinez, which led 34-22 at halftime,
“It hurts,” Alaman said of the loss. “Having that great first half and kind of letting it go away in the second half. I would have loved for this senior group to get at least a share of the league title.”
In other games Friday:
In the Pacific Coast League:
St. Margaret’s 53, Rosary 49: Freshman Jayden Witten scored 35 points to lead the visiting Tartans (20-6, 4-3) past the No. 11 Royals (18-8, 4-3).
In the Freeway League:
Troy 84, Yorba Linda 22: Five players scored in double figures to lead the host Warriors (19-8, 7-0).
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