GIRLS BASKETBALL: Muir vs. Magnolia

Muir seeking SoCal title
Mustangs need win to play for a state crown
By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer

Reaching the state basketball championship game in Sacramento is something Muir High School girls coach Gary Johnson calls a one-in-a-million opportunity.
Johnson's Mustangs have a chance to seize that opportunity today when they face Magnolia in the CIF Southern California Girls Basketball Championships at the Sports Arena at 10 a.m.
Muir (28-2) can advance to its first girls state championship game in school history.
"To get this opportunity, you need to play a lot of good teams," Johnson said.
Standing in the Mustangs' way is a team they've already beaten.
Muir needed double overtime to defeat the Sentinels (26-6) at the Ayala Best of the West Tournament on Dec. 28.
"They're a good team with a good passing game, and they're very disciplined," Johnson said.
The Sentinels' attack begins with Jhakia McDonald, averaging 12.6 points.
Muir's advantage could be in rebounding.
Pernilla Hanson leads Magnolia on the boards at 4.4 per game.
There also is Latrice Henderson (3.7 rpg), Desiree Hunter (3.0 rpg) and McDonald (2.6 rpg).
Junior Eliza Pierre has emerged as Muir's team leader with 9.2 rebounds a game, and junior Brittany Henderson averages 8.9 rebounds.
For the Mustangs to make their travel plans, they must cut down on periodic mistakes that recently have plagued them.
"It's been a little annoying, and we're trying to figure out why we're having these lapses," Johnson said.
One reason could have to do with fatigue.
"We're basically only playing five to six girls and we're pressing the whole game, so they might be a little fatigued," Johnson said.
Magnolia and the Sports Arena will provide a challenge much different from what the Mustangs are used to.
"We have to step up," Pierre said. "The Sports Arena is a bigger challenge.
"It's going to be a lot different than anything we're used to playing in."
It all comes down to execution, however.
"We need to play mistake-free and not turn the ball over," Johnson said.