Alexander Lifts South to Victory Over North

IRVINE — Nina Alexander felt a little out of place amid all that talent, but the 5-foot-8 1/2 center/guard/forward for Century High didn’t play that way.

Alexander’s 10 points and eight rebounds helped the South to a 56-54 victory over the North in Sunday’s inaugural Orange County All-Star Tournament girls’ basketball game at the Bren Center.

Alexander’s 15-footer with 3 minutes 39 seconds left cut a seven-point deficit to one, and her left-handed drive to the basket gave the South a 52-51 lead with 3:09 remaining.

Alexander, by the way, is right-handed.

“I just took what was there,” said Alexander, who was named the game’s most valuable player. “I think, against all-stars, I get intimidated.

“I really didn’t expect anything. Coming from Century, I don’t expect much recognition because we’re just a regular team.”

Then she apologized: “I’m not very good at these: I’ve never actually had an interview.”

Better late than never for Alexander, a senior who has been accepted to California and Stanford; she will try to walk-on wherever she attends, but admitted that her basketball career probably is over if she chooses Stanford.

After Alexander’s baskets, Mission Viejo’s Kortney Okura scored inside and Estancia’s Cyndi Richards made two free throws, giving the South a 56-52 lead with 7.6 seconds left.

The game was close throughout; the South came back from the game’s largest deficits, five points in the third quarter, then seven early in the fourth. After Okura scored, Mater Dei’s Michelle Meyers reeled off six points in 70 seconds, and Richards (seven points, nine rebounds) gave the South a 48-47 lead.

Brea Olinda’s Dawn Metz gave the North the lead with 4:01 to go, setting the stage for Alexander.

Santa Ana Valley’s Velina Gibson kept the South close early in the game and finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

El Dorado’s Shanna Renken had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the North, and Canyon’s Robynn Kuhlmann had 11 points.