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Sports

Glass Slipper Fits for BHHS Hoops

The Normans edge Lawndale to advance to the 3AAA semifinals.

Before the CIF Southern Section boys basketball playoff brackets were released, boys basketball coach Jarvis Turner knew his team was capable of doing some damage in the newly formed Division 3AAA. Now his squad is on the verge of something historic.

The Normans were regarded as a "sleeper," but after winning their first three games they have become the Cinderellas as the 14th-seed in the 32-team field. Their magical postseason march continued Tuesday night with a 67-65 triumph over Lawndale at the swim gym. Senior Mike Lanier led the charge with 23 points as BHHS advanced to the semifinals for the first time since it captured the CIF championship in 1969.

BHHS entered these playoffs with momentum, winning its against Inglewood and archrival Culver City to secure third place in the Ocean League. They opened the postseason with a 61-38 blowout over Arroyo, then eked out a 49-48 win against Palm Springs in the second round.

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The stands were filled to capacity for Tuesday's quarterfinal match and the Normans sprinted out of the gate, displaying stifling defense to outscore Lawndale 12-3 in the first quarter. Beverly Hills (20-9) carried a commanding 32-17 lead into halftime. However, the No. 11-seeded Cardinals (20-9) chipped away at the deficit and pulled to within six points heading into the fourth quarter.

Beverly Hills will try to keep its season alive against Pasadena on Friday at Muir High School. The second-seeded Bullodogs (23-6) went 13-1 in the Pacific League and easily defeated Magnolia, Beaumont and Bonita to reach the semifinals. If the Normans can pull off the upset, they will meet either No. 4 Palm Desert or No. 8 Arroyo Grande for the title next week.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

After their fifth-place finish in the Ocean League, the Lady Normans (10-19) were awarded an at-large berth into the 3AAA playoffs. They traveled to Norwalk in the first round Feb. 16 and fell 56-38 despite 10 points from Dorsa Mehrannia and nine from Megan Yee.

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