By: Ryan Moses
Sentinel Staff Writer

VALLEY CHRISTIAN 67, SLV 29: Valley Christian showed why it's the top-seeded team in the tournament.

Led by point guard A.J. Newton's 25 points, the Warriors cruised past the Cougars, excelling in nearly every facet of the game.

Forward Kelsey Byrd shot 7-for-8 from the floor to finish with 14 points. Even when Valley Christian missed, it usually got at least one offensive rebound, winning the battle of the boards 32-19.

The Warriors [24-6] also dominated on defense, forcing 39 turnovers while pressing the entire game.

"You have to recognize the right place to pass at the right time, but as quick as they are, the right place isn't there for very long," SLV coach Marcus Northcutt said.

After falling behind early with just two points in the first quarter, the Cougars caught fire to score 18 in the second and narrow the deficit to 10. Guards Brooke Carroll and Coty Ladd each scored seven points to lead SLV.

The eighth-seeded Cougars [16-15] made an impressive run in the CCS tournament, beating Del Mar and Half Moon Bay to reach the quarterfinals.

"I'm very proud of the girls this season," Northcutt said. "Somebody on mbaypreps.com predicted we'd finish last in league and I think that's where a lot of people thought our program would be this year. But we surpassed last year's win total and took fourth, and got a CCS berth. I think we definitely exceeded expectations and the sophomores and juniors got a taste of CCS."

Valley Christian will play either No. 4 Oceana or No. 5 Mercy in the semifinals on Tuesday at either 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. at Mercy.