GIRLS' BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: HART KNOWS OPPONENT WELL.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne Staff Writer

It's been an historic season for the Hart High girls' basketball team. Coach Dave Munroe got his 300th career victory, junior point guard Ashlee Trebilcock broke the school career-scoring record and the Indians' 23-game winning streak continues to extend a school record.

But there's been one blemish on their record, a 57-53 loss to Ventura Dec. 12 at the Buena of Ventura tournament. The second-seeded Indians of Newhall (27-1) will have an opportunity to avenge that loss tonight at 7:30 when they host third-seeded Ventura (26-1) in a Southern Section Div. I-A semifinal at Valencia High.

Surprisingly, though, Hart doesn't seem that concerned with the perfect season that might have been.

``To be honest, I'm kind of glad we have a loss,'' senior guard Brit Brown said. ``There'd be a lot more pressure if we were 28-0 rather than 27-1.''

Hart has lost to San Clemente in the title game two years in a row and the top-seeded Tritons play fourth-seeded Canyon Springs of Moreno Valley in the division's other semifinal at 7:30 tonight at Valley View High in Moreno Valley.

--Scouting Ventura: Ventura has held its three playoff opponents to an average of 28.3 points per game and won by an average of 28 points.

Ventura is led by 6-foot-5 freshman center Kali Bennett, who is averaging 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds. Bennett had 18 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks the first time the teams played.

``We've got to do a better job on her,'' Munroe said. ``Our tallest post player is KaLana (Inemer) who is 5-10 and that's even kind of a stretch.''

--Lucky leap year: Sophomore guard Taylor Lilley officially turned 16 on Sunday, Feb. 29, but she's really had only four birthday's that fall on her actual birthday. Munroe said he felt a little bad for Lilley and all the other ``leap year babies'' and allowed her to choose what he would call in the coin flip that took place at the Southern Section office in Los Alamitos on Sunday morning to host tonight's game.

Lilley called ``tails'' and Hart won the toss, which is unusual because Munroe had lost eight of nine coin flips before Lilley correctly called the last one.

Ramona Shelburne, [phone]

ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com

AT A GLANCE

What: No. 3 Ventura (26-1) at No. 2 Hart (27-1), Southern Section Div. I-A semifinal

When: 7:30 tonight, Valencia High.

Hart's key players: Ashlee Trebilcock (21.2 ppg, 5-foot-9, Jr., G), Taylor Lilley (15 ppg, 48 percent on 3-pointers, 5-foot-6, Soph., G)

Ventura's key players: Kali Bennett (13.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 6-foot-5, Fr.), Caitlin O'Neill (12.3 ppg, Jr., G), Meggie Wagner (10.7 ppg, 5-foot-5, Sr., G)

Notes: Ventura defeated Hart of Newhall 57-53 on Dec. 12, although Hart outscored Ventura 35-26 in the second half, despite Trebilcock fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. Hart has advanced to Southern Section Div. I-A title game two years in a row. Ventura won its first 22 games before losing to Channel League rival Buena of Ventura on Feb. 9. Three teams from the Channel League will play in semifinal games tonight.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)