Diamond’s Gem Upends Taft

Aja Diamond had 18 points, seven assists and five steals Wednesday to help El Camino Real High defeat Taft, 56-49, in overtime in a Northwest Valley Conference girls’ basketball game at El Camino Real.

Taft shooting guard Cheree Garrett had 16 points, including two free throws with three seconds remaining to tie the score, 45-45, and force overtime.

El Camino Real (11-0, 5-0 in conference play), aided by Diamond’s six points, outscored Taft, 11-4, in overtime. Forward Lisa Hawkins and center Tynisha Howze fouled out, leaving the Toreadors (6-8, 1-4) at a disadvantage inside.

Diamond made 11 of 14 free throws and the Conquistadores rallied from a 22-7 deficit after the first quarter.

Justina Williams had 16 points and 11 rebounds for El Camino Real.

In other Northwest Valley Conference games:

Cleveland 35, San Fernando 33--Freshman Mishawn Simms’ layup with one second left lifted the Cavaliers (4-9, 1-3) at Cleveland.

Kennedy 60, Chatsworth 23--Vanessa Dunn scored 17 points and Tammy Barber added 10 to lead the Golden Cougars (17-3, 5-0), ranked eighth in the region by The Times, at Chatsworth.

Birmingham 59, Granada Hills 50--Tanya Silva scored 15 points and Artesia McDaniel had 11 points and 16 rebounds for the Braves (8-3, 3-2) at Granada Hills.

Jessica Cosby scored 21 points for the Highlanders (4-7, 1-4).

In other games:

North Hollywood 82, Monroe 31--Tashean Thomas scored 20 points and had nine steals for the No. 7-ranked Huskies (16-3, 5-0) in a Valley-Pac 8 Conference game at North Hollywood.

Louisville 97, Villanova Prep 27--Becky Witt scored 19 points and Rosie Chingcuangco added 17 for the Royals (12-4) in a nonleague game at Louisville.

Eagle Rock 52, Verdugo Hills 26--Daisy Lulham had 12 points for the Dons in a Northern Conference game at Eagle Rock.

Crossroads 60, Campbell Hall 55--Emily Abrams had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Vikings (8-8, 1-3) in a Delphic League game at Campbell Hall.

Sherman Oaks CES 45, Bravo Medical 41--Erica Ephriam scored 20 points and Jackie Cannon had seven points and 16 rebounds for the Knights (13-5, 8-1), who moved into a first-place tie with host Bravo Medical in the Magnet Conference.