SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : 3-A GIRLS

In the other 3-AA semifinal:

Palos Verdes 62, Estancia 48--Estancia High School’s unexpected advance to the semifinals came to a halt when it fell to fourth-seeded Palos Verdes at University High in Irvine.

“We never thought we’d be here,” Estancia Coach Lisa McNamee said. “This is the farthest we’ve gone in nine years. It was a real growing experience for next year.”

Palos Verdes (27-4) used its height advantage to advance to next week’s final against Brea. The Sea Kings’ tall front line of Monique Morehouse, Mary Maloney and Kristen Jaconi dominated the backboards and Palos Verdes took a 49-33 lead with 3:41 left in the third quarter.

But Estancia (14-13) fought back behind the shooting of Patrice Lumpkin and Maria Garcia to trail 50-43 at the end of the quarter. Palos Verdes rebuilt the lead when the Eagles hit only two of 16 shots in the fourth quarter.

“Their box-and-one (defense) rattled (forward) Melody (Earle),” McNamee said. “She normally hits all of those shots.” Lumpkin and Robin Cordrey led Estancia in scoring with 17 and 10 points, respectively. Jaconi led Palos Verdes with 19.