Turnovers Turn Tide

For one quarter of last Thursday’s City Open Division quarterfinal the Palisades High girls basketball team executed the gameplan to near perfection, getting into its halfcourt offense, using the clock, taking high percentage shots and holding host Crenshaw’s fast break attack at bay.

Then, the turnovers started to pile up, the Cougars pounced on nearly every free gift and by halftime they led by eight points, 25-17. The third quarter was more of the same and despite one late surge the Dolphins fell 69-52—their earliest exit in the City playoffs since a 31-26 setback at Cleveland in the first round of the Division I bracket in 2018.

Unlike the teams’ previous clash in a tournament game Jan. 6, when Palisades was defeated by 21 points, coach Adam levine was happy with his players’ effort and rebounding and reminded them afterwards that the season is not over—they must now turn their attention to the state playoffs, which begin after section championships are decided.

With older siblings and Pali High alums Sammie and Caden watching in the stands, senior forward Taylor Arnold scored 12 of her 17 points in the second half, twin Elise Arnold had 12 points and sophomore guard Alyssa Ramirez netted 15 points on five three-pointers. Freshman point guard Elly Tierney had five points for sixth-seeded Palisades (13-15).

Citlali Salazar scored 17 of her 22 points in the second half, Dalayja Floyd-Hurt had 16 points and eight steals and Bailey Prewitt had 14 for No. 3 Crenshaw (20-6).