PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran rallies to defeat Calvary Chapel in non-league showdown

Elizabeth Elder of Crean Lutheran goes up for a shot as No. 4 Maddie Kovats of Calvary Chapel defends. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / John Luciano).

Crean Lutheran High School’s girls basketball team rallied in the second half to capture a 60-54 non-league victory Tuesday night against Calvary Chapel in a battle of two highly-ranked county teams at Crean Lutheran.

Crean Lutheran is ranked 11th and Calvary Chapel 19th in this week’s county poll by OC Varsity.

“Last night’s game was intense,” said Saints co-head coach Bianca Ziemann. “Both teams displayed a lot of heart, grit, and a never-give-up mentality. We have an incredible amount of respect for Coach (Jon) Hughes and his talented group of players.”

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Crean Lutheran players cheer on their teammates.

Jane Hewitt of Crean Lutheran takes a jumper as Lindsey Kobayashi of Calvary Chapel defends.

Madison Nguyen of Crean Lutheran brings the ball up.

Ashley Heyer of Crean Lutheran takes a jumper as Cassandra Zazueta of Calvary Chapel defends.

Crean Lutheran players and coaches after Tuesday's win.

Madison Nguyen of Crean Lutheran defends against Micaela Hanning of Calvary Chapel.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / Howard Lyon

Crean Lutheran (10-8) was led by Sydnee Norwood, who had 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists and Ashley Heyer, who had 15 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block.

Elizabeth Elder added 11 points and had four rebounds, one assist and a block for the Saints.

“We’re very proud of the big-time team effort on the defensive end to turn the game back in our favor,” Ziemann said.

Ziemann said the Saints turned to Jane Hewitt in the second half to try and limit one of the Eagles top players offensively in the second half.

“Jane did a great job and executed well,” Ziemann said. “Offensively, Ashley Heyer hit big shots most notably her corner three that put the Saints up in the fourth. Sydnee Norwood was a consistent unstoppable force inside that ended as our leading scorer of the game with 19. Lizzie Elder gave great minutes with a solid stat line and huge offensive scoring down the stretch.”

Madison Nguyen had 10  rebounds and four assists for Crean Lutheran.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our entire team; one through 12 gave their best and because of that we were victorious,” Ziemann said.

Chloe Zazueta had 20 points and Macaela Hanning 19 points to lead Calvary Chapel (11-6).