Oak Park Goes the Distance, 57-52

OAK PARK — Oak Park High played long ball again Thursday night, making eight three-point baskets in a 57-52 victory over Morro Bay in a Southern regional Division IV semifinal girls’ basketball game.

Oak Park (25-5) advances to the program’s first regional championship game, against La Jolla Bishop’s at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Forum.

The Eagles, who hit 11 three-pointers in the Southern Section championship game against Morro Bay last week, got the biggest one Thursday from Kim Bryan, whose three-pointer with 1:41 to play gave Oak Park a 51-45 lead.

“We gave Bryan too many good looks on the perimeter,” Morro Bay Coach Cary Nerelli said. “When Oak Park is on from the outside, they’re tough.”

With the score tied, 39-39, after three quarters, the Eagles broke open the game when Jannel Buckley, who scored 15 points, capped a 7-0 run with her third three-pointer, helping Oak Park take a 46-39 lead with 6:49 to play.

Guard Karena Bonds of Morro Bay (20-7) scored to cut Oak Park’s lead to 48-45 with 2:20 to play.

Bryan, who scored 10 points, responded with her third three-pointer.

The Eagles connected on six of eight free throws in the final 1:03 to seal the victory.

Bonds, who scored 30 points in the section final, had 21 points. She was held to three field goals in the second half before fouling out with 16 seconds to play.