By Stephen Ramirez
WEST COVINA — Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School dug itself a hole Wednesday. But unlike it’s one-point win over South Hills on Monday, the Cardinals couldn’t climb out of it.Stephanie Custodio scored 29 points and Alyssa Gonzalez had 21 to lead Chino to a 68-63 victory over Cantwell in a Covina Classic girls basketball tournament quarterfinal at South Hills High School.Rebecca Navar also had 10 points for the Cowboys, who improved 3-1. They will face either Bishop Amat or South Torrance in Friday’s semifinals at 6:30 p.m. at Covina High School.
Valeria Lizarraga had 21 points and Lily Perkins 18 for the Cardinals, who slipped to 5-1.
“I take nothing away from Chino,” Cantwell coach Matt Zamora said. “They played a very good game. We just have a knack of putting ourselves in holes, and sometimes you run out of time.
“It happened again today. Again, taking nothing away from them, it’s a result of some of our own actions. We need to stop doing that stuff.”
Cantwell rallied from a 10-point deficit in the first half to lead 51-49 early in the fourth quarter following a putback by Perkins. But Chino countered with a 3-pointer by Navar and an inside basket and two free throws by Custodio to lead 56-53 with four minutes to play.
The Cowboys then outscored Cantwell 12-10 down the stretch.
Wednesday’s Quarterfinals
Top Half
South Torrance vs. Bishop Amat at Covina HS, 6:30 p.m.
Chino 68, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary 63
Bottom Half
Covina 45, Bonita 40, 2OTs
Roosevelt 57, El Rancho 45
Friday’s Semifinals:
Chino vs. South Torrance-Bishop Amat winner, 6::30 p.m.
Covina vs. Roosevelt, 8 p.m.
Championship: Saturday