Heritage loses at Lawndale in girls basketball semifinal

Lauren Pagtakhan, shown here on defense in a game last week, scored 17 points for Heritage on Wednesday. (Staff photo)

Heritage High fell behind in the first quarter and could never recover in a 65-56 loss at Lawndale Wednesday in the CIF 4AA girls basketball semifinals.

Heritage (22-5) faced a tough challenge against the Cardinals, who brought a 23-4 record into the home game and had defeated its previous three playoff opponents by an average of 24 points. They also have three players 5-foot-11 or taller – a height advantage they used to outrebound the Patriots throughout the game.

“We fought hard,” said coach Deanna Meijer. "We outscored them in the second half. We just couldn’t get out of the hole we dug in the first quarter.

“It was a battle inside. They beat us on the boards, both sides. We had it within three points late in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough.”

Aaliyah Benavidez led Heritage scorers with 19 points, followed by Lauren Pagtakhan with 17 and Sierra Maxwell and Naya Perez with 7 each.

The season isn’t over for Heritage. By advancing so far in the Southern Section playoffs, the Patriots have earned a berth in the CIF State Southern Regional playoffs, which begin next week. The Patriots learn their first-round opponent on Sunday.