PHOTOS: Solid defensive effort leads Crean Lutheran to victory in CIF playoff opener

Crean Lutheran’s Micaela Hanning drives to the basket against Orange Lutheran Thursday. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano and Ted Rigoni).

Crean Lutheran High School’s girls basketball team is moving on to the second round of the CIF Division 1 playoffs Saturday at top-seeded Ventura.

The Saints opened the playoffs Thursday night with a 44-39 victory over Orange Lutheran at home.

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

Orange Lutheran’s Kelly Garrity drives to the basket as Crean Lutheran’s Stacy Echtenkamp defends.

Crean Lutheran’s Jane Hewitt shoots the ball over Orange Lutheran’s Emalynn Vong (21) Melanie Stewart (10) and Olivia Teleon (23).

Crean Lutheran’s Emma Goley attempts a three pointer vs. Orange Lutheran.

Crean Lutheran players cheer on their teammates.

Orange Lutheran’s Emalynn Vong and Crean Lutheran’s Emma Goley reach for a rebound.

Crean Lutheran's Stacy Echtenkamp drives against Lexi Joko of Orange Lutheran.

Crean Lutheran's Jordyn Norwood puts up a shot.

Crean Lutheran's Sydnee Norwood gets ready to take a shot under pressure from Orange Lutheran's Melanie Stewart.

Crean Lutheran's Emma Goley is defended by Lexi Joko of Orange Lutheran.

Crean Lutheran players after Thursday's win.

Sydnee Norwood scored 18 points, Jane Hewitt had 11 points and Micaela Hanning 10 points to lead Crean Lutheran (23-5).

“It was a fun game and we had some big possessions on offense and defense to finish the game,” said Crean Lutheran Coach Kyle Rouse.

“Our bonus goal tonight was to keep OLU under 40 total points and we thought if we could do that we could have success. We cut it close but holding them to four points in the third quarter helped us hit that goal and ultimately help us finish the game with a win.

“Credit to OLU on the comeback in the fourth quarter, we made a couple of mistakes defensively and they made us pay for it. We pride ourselves on our defense and holding a Trinity League team to 39 points was a great way to help us be successful.

“A couple of big plays in the fourth quarter were great plays made by Stacy Echtenkamp and Jane Hewitt with phenomenal IQ plays to Sydnee Norwood creating two assists on big plays to keep our lead at a manageable spot to finish.”

Rouse said the Saints are looking forward to Saturday’s game against Ventura (27-2). 

“We’re excited for the challenge in round two,” he said. “Division 1 teams are no joke and everyone has to bring their A game no matter what. Bottom line: survive and advance, onto the next one.”