Queens of the City Court

Palisades Tops Narbonne 60-56 to Win First Open Division Basketball Title

His team was leading by four points and the scoreboard clock showed 1.3 seconds remaining  when Palisades High girls basketball coach Torino Johnson called his last timeout in Saturday night’s City Section Open Division championship game.

The respite gave both sides time to soak in the reality that a new powerhouse has emerged in the City and its uniforms are blue and white.

In a tense struggle that tested the resolve of both teams the Dolphins held off a furious Narbonne rally in the fourth quarter to prevail 60-56 at Cal State Dominguez Hills. For Palisades, it was merely the start of what Johnson hopes will be a Dolphins dynasty.

“There’s nothing better than  having an opportunity to play the best and dethrone them to become the face of our section,” he said. “It’s basketball and you’re going to have ups and downs, but we just did what we do and played our style. Narbonne fought courageously but we answered every run they made.”

Kayla Merrill-Gillett scored 20 points, fellow guard Chelsey Gipson had 15 and Bianca King  added 14 as second-seeded Palisades (23-10) extended its winning streak to 20 games.

Narbonne pulled to within two points with one minute to go. After the teams traded baskets, Merill-Gillett was fouled with 10.9 seconds left and calmly swished both free throws to make it 60-56.

“Sure there was a lot of pressure but you have to stay calm and keep positive energy in those moments,” Merrill-Gillett said. “We moved the ball really well and we  played great team defense.”

The Gauchos lost the ball on their final possession, a scramble ensued and a jump ball was called. The arrow pointed to Palisades, giving the Dolphins the ball at midcourt. When play resumed the ball was inbounded to King and Palisades’ celebration began.

“I didn’t care who we played but it’s great to beat the No. 1 seed,” King said. “The whole week we prepared for Narbonne. I knew we were going to win.”

The victory marked Palisades’ first upper division title since beating Washington 79-36 in 1999 under Kevin Hall, who now teaches P.E. at Southeast Middle School and attended Saturday’s game. It was the program’s third City title under Johnson, who guided the Dolphins to Division II crowns in 2011 and 2012.

Narbonne was removed from the playoffs for wearing illegal uniforms its semifinal win against View Park, but the Gauchos appealed the ruling and were subsequently reinstated. However, Coach Victoria Sanders was suspended and Narbonne boys coach Anthony Hilliard took her place on the bench Saturday.

“I was thrilled that we got to play Narbonne and I wanted to see Vicky coaching,” said Johnson, whose team avenged its loss in the Division I semifinals last year. “It’s unfortunate but she knew what she was doing.”

The Dolphins trailed by three after the first quarter but scored 17 straight points to take a 31-17 lead. Top-seeded Narbonne (23-6) closed the second quarter on an 8-0 run to pull within 31-25 at halftime.

Palisades opened the second half on fire and King’s jumper from the elbow gave the Dolphins a 41-27 lead midway through the  third quarter. Narbonne chipped away and eventually took a 47-45 lead on a layup by Tybriann Jones with four minutes left in the game.

The Dolphins were held scoreless for the first 4:35 of the fourth quarter before Gipson ended the drought by banking in a three-pointer to put Palisades ahead 48-47. A transition layup by Sammy Spanier made it 52-47 Palisades with 2:47 remaining.

“This is only the beginning for us,” Johnson said. “This was supposed to be Narbonne’s year but we made it ours. Next year I think we’ll be even better.”

Gipson was a freshman at Los Angeles Windward last season and helped lead the Wildcats to the  Southern Section Open Division title. The smile she wore after Saturday’s triumph suggests her second straight Open Division crown tasted just as sweet.

Palisades is the City Section’s first Open Division champion and Johnson believes his team can make another run at the title next winter.