Birmingham tops King/Drew, headed to L.A. City Open final
TORRANCE >> The top-seeded Birmingham High girls basketball team only connected on one 3-pointer in their 49-44 CIF Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinal win against No. 4 King/Drew at El Camino College on Saturday.
The Patriots made it count. Senior Samantha Velasquez put Birmingham ahead 16-14 when she knocked down a buzzer-beating 3 as time expired in the first quarter.
They never trailed again.
“We joked around saying all three of our shooters couldn't be cold on one night,” said Patriots coach Victor Koopongsakorn. “The college floor with multiple lines probably throws us off a little bit. We have to get used to it and will have to find a way to make some shots next week at Pasadena.”
After missing the finals a year ago, Birmingham is excited to be back in the sectional championship against Westchester on Saturday at Pasadena Community College.
“We were really looking forward to this one,” said Koopongsakorn. “The girls who are seniors this year were on the team that won the Open in 2022 and were knocked out by King/Drew last season.”
Natalie E. Lopez led the way with eight points in the quarter, including a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line. The senior filled the stat sheet all night, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals.
“She's probably our rock,” said Koopongsakorn. “The epitome of a point guard. Anytime we start to get a little out of control, she's there to calm us right down”
After surrendering a basket to open the second, the Patriots ripped off an 11-0 run that helped send them to the locker room with a 2921 lead at halftime.
The Golden Eagles defense held the Patriots to just six third-quarter points and attempted 14 free throws as they closed the deficit to four by the end of the third.
Zoee Mitchell came to life after halftime, netting 12 of her 15 points in the second half. She also had eight rebounds and four assists.
“We knew we were struggling with the outside shot, so we wanted to look inside to her,” Koopongsakorn. “A sophomore stepping up in big spots was a huge lift. She took a lot of contact but still found ways to score. We need that, especially games like this when shooting is a little tougher.”