May 3, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Saddleback and Crean Lutheran lose in semifinals of CIF girls basketball playoffs

It was a big night of semifinal basketball playoffs for the Saddleback and Crean Lutheran girls basketball teams who were in the semifinals are trying to reach the finals in their respective divisions.

In Los Angeles, Saddleback fell to Bishop Conarty-Lorrento 57-47 in the 5A semifinals. The teams were tied 44-44 going into the final quarter. Saddleback moved out to a 16-11 lead after one quarter but Bishop-Connarty took a 35-30 halftime lead.

Saddleback Athletic Director Rob Thompson said, however, the Roadrunners have been invited to compete in the state tournament, which comes the week after the CIF finals. He did not know which division Saddleback will be in.

In Santa Fe Springs, top seeded Crean Lutheran lost to Santa Fe in the 4A semifinals, 64-48.

Here’s how the two teams got to the semifinals:

Crean Lutheran wins behind 41-point effort by O’Malley

Saddleback girls capture third playoff victory to advance