Westview girls basketball team holds off Hamilton to earn first state playoff victory since 2011; Top-seeded Fairmont Prep rolls in Division 1 opener

All the disappointment and frustration experienced by the Westview High girls basketball team during its two losses in the past month created the ideal motivation for the No. 14 Wolverines to achieve one of the most significant victories in program history Tuesday night in the opening round of the Southern California Regional in the Division 1 state playoffs.

Maren Zimmer scored on a rebound putback with 36 seconds left and Sarah Heyn added an insurance free throw with 11 seconds remaining to help visiting Westview produce a 45-42 triumph at third-seeded Hamilton High, the first state playoff victory for the Wolverines since 2011.

Post-game interviews

Westview (21-9) rebounded from a 51-39 loss Feb. 25 against Francis Parker in the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division semifinals to snap a 19-game winning streak by Hamilton (26-3), the L.A. City Section Open Division champion.

The Wolverines play Thursday in the regional quarterfinals at sixth-seeded Brentwood (26-8), a 74-63 winner Tuesday against No. 11 La Jolla Country Day (17-12).

Jade Fort had a game-high 24 points for the host Yankees, including a 3-point field goal with 56 seconds left to tie the score at 42-42.

Fort had 12 of Hamilton’s 15 fourth-quarter points to help the Yankees rally from a 35-27 deficit following the third quarter.

Heyn took the ball on the ensuing Westview possession and drove to the basket, just missing the potential go-ahead layup, but Zimmer – who made the only two field goals for the Wolverines in the fourth quarter – grabbed the rebound and was successful on the follow to provide a 44-42 advantage.

Following a Hamilton turnover, Westview regained possession and Heyn was fouled.

After missing the first free-throw attempt, the junior guard made the second opportunity and finished five of six in the fourth quarter and seven of eight at the line for the contest.

Fort attempted a 25-foot 3-pointer in the final seconds, but the shot fell short and Westview advanced in the state playoffs for the first time since reaching the Division 2 regional semifinals 14 years ago.

Heyn, who scored a team-high 20 points highlighted by three 3-pointers, and Zimmer – nine points, including a 3-point field goal – accumulated all 10 fourth-quarter points for the Wolverines, who also demonstrated growth Tuesday after relinquishing an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead Feb. 7 against Mission Hills in a 62-61 setback. 

Mia Jacobson contributed eight points, making two 3-pointers, and Makena McLaughlin added a 3-point field goal and finished with four points for Westview, which led 20-17 at halftime.

Kinidi Curl added eight points, including a pair of free throws with 2:57 remaining to bring Hamilton to within 40-39, and Micah Lemons had five points for the Yankees, who hadn’t lost since Dec. 28 against Westlake.

Fairmont Prep 81, Birmingham 61: The top-seeded Huskies (22-10) had junior guard Adyra Rajan score 23 of her 27 points in the second half to secure an opening-round victory against No. 16 Birmingham (22-8) in the Southern California Regional of the Division 1 state playoffs.

Fairmont Prep girls basketball team | Photo courtesy of Fairmont Prep

Rajan, who hit five 3-point field goals, added eight rebounds for Fairmont Prep, which also received 20 points, nine rebounds, four blocked shots and three assists from junior forward Sarah Aldeguer.

Rajan increased her season total for 3-pointers to 154, which ranks No. 3 all-time in the Southern Section and No. 7 in California prep history. She also has 320 3-point field goals in her career, good for No. 31 all-time in the state.

Kayla Priest, a sophomore, returned from injury and added 11 points for the Huskies, who also had senior Maria Mejia contribute seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Fairmont Prep plays host Thursday to No. 9 Harvard-Westlake (24-7), a 60-57 overtime winner Tuesday against No. 8 Francis Parker (20-10).

The Wolverines received 23 points from Deana Thompson and had Hollen Vann contribute 11 points.