Woodbridge girls basketball team gets past Beckman 42-37 and helps CIF playoff chances

Woodbridge’s girls basketball team helped its chances for advancing into the CIF playoffs with a 42-37 Pacific Coast League victory over Beckman Friday night at Woodbridge.

Erika Maggard scored 23 points and Kathleen Wasserman added nine points for the Warriors (10-15, 4-4).

Beckman (13-14, 4-4) was led by Katie French with 14 points.

“Friday’s win was a huge for us,” said Woodbridge Coach Keith Clarkson. “Not only does it put us tied for third (and a playoff spot) but also since we have beaten Beckman twice, we would own the tie-breaker in the chance that we end tied for that last playoff spot at the end of the regular season.

“If we are able to beat Portola on Tuesday and Beckman loses to University, we will lock up the last playoff spot.

Clarkson said the Warriors put extra empahasis on defense.

“We know how potent Beckman’s offense can be,” he said. “They have shooters all over the floor. We played outstanding defense in the first half and held them to only 12 points. At halftime we told the girls to expect some run from them and to stay composed. Beckman took their first lead of the game at about the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

” I was really happy on how we responded after that. In December we would have rushed, tried to make very difficult passes or throw long dangerous passes. This time we slowed it down, stayed composed, executed our offense and got the ball inside to Erika who finished a layup and was fouled. After that we made our free-throws and managed the clock well.”

Clarkson praised Maggard’s effort but added, “everyone was able to help contribute. Kathleen Wassermann had nine points and Tiffany Nguyen scored all four of her points in the last two minutes from the free throw line.”

The Warriors will try and notch another big win Tuesday against Portola.

“Even though that was a big win, we need at least one more win to get us into playoffs,” Clarkson said. “With a win on Tuesday, we would eliminate Portola from a playoff spot. They mathematically still have a chance but would need a lot of help. The bottom line is the last playoff spot is our’s to lose, if we win out, we are in. We do not need anyone to upset Beckman or Portola for us to make it. It is all in our hands.”