Jessica Ramirez tallied a career-high 18 points and Rebecca Griffin added 15, but the Santa Barbara girls basketball team came up short in a 63-46 loss to host Villa Park (21-6) in the second round of CIF competition Saturday.
Griffin, at around 5-foot-2, led the Dons in rebounds with six and also dished out seven assists with two turnovers.
The Dons finished the season with a 19-9 mark, which is impressive considering it was almost the exact same group of girls from last year’s 9-17 campaign.
Santa Barbara was down by just five at the half but succumbed to a 15-5 third quarter in Villa Park’s favor. Spartans star Brianna Salvatore finished with 24 points.
“They were really strong and physical,” said Dons coach Andrew Butcher.
Santa Barbara graduates eight players from this year’s team, but Butcher said that the four returners will provide a solid core for the program next year.
VILLA PARK 63, SANTA BARBARA 46
SANTA BARBARA — Blackwell 5, Ramirez 18, Griffin 15, Lavender 2, Emerson 1, Kerns 2, Boscacci 3. Totals 15 7-13 46.
VILLA PARK — Bauman 5, Calderon 2, Ruiz 3, McCorkle 8, Salvatore 27, NBallestero 10, CBallestero 8. Totals 25 4-7 63.
Santa Barbara….16 9 5 16 — 46
Villa Park………..16 14 15 18 — 63
3-point goals — SB 9 (Ramirez 5, Griffin 4), VP 5 (Salvatore 4, NBallestero, CBallestero)/
Total fouls — SB 19, VP 20.
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Hydrocodone….