(OBSERVER photo by Antonio R. Harvey)
NORTH NATOMAS — Sacramento’s C.K. McClatchy High’s varsity girls basketball team is on its way to the state championships at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on March 28.
C.K. McClatchy won the Division I NorCal Championships by beating El Dorado Hill’s Oak Ridge 58-49 in a spirited game at Sleep Train Arena on March 21.
This is the Lady Lions’ first NorCal title in the school’s history and inaugural trip to the state championships. Sophomore Jordan Cruz had 19 points and five rebounds for McClatchy (26-7).
Junior forward GiGi Garcia added 15 points and nine rebounds despite having foul trouble in the first half. Oak Ridge Lady Trojans (27-5) were led by Isamar Conde’s 10 points, 17 rebounds and four assists.
“It wasn’t one of our best offensive games,” said McClatchy head coach Jessica Kunisaki. “But the game came down to having heart. We have heart and I am proud of our team.”
The Lady Lions led 27-26 at the half, but opened up a seven-point margin early in the third. The Lady Trojans fought back to take a two-point lead, but McClatchy tied the game at 42-42 on a basket by Garcia to end the quarter.
Garcia did not commit a foul in the third quarter after she picked up three in the first two quarter. Garcia’s teammates held their own until she made it back onto the court.
“They need me out there,” Garcia said. “But they showed up when I was on the bench. We were ready. We worked hard to get there. (to the state championships).”
Oak Ridge was able to cut McClatchy’s lead 47-45 early in the fourth quarter. But the Lady Lions regrouped to close out the victory on a deciding 11-2 run.
BOYS’ DIVISION II NORCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
San Jose’s Archbishop Mitty rolled past Sacramento High School 54-40 in the Division II NorCal Championships on March 21. Archbishop Mitty advances to the state championships next Saturday in Berkeley.
Junior Ben Kone had 23 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks for the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs (20-10). Sebastian Much added 17 points off the bench.
Junior Solomon Young had 11 points six rebounds, and two blocked shots for the Sacramento High Dragons (28-6). Savon Hines finished with 10 points and three boards.
Sac High started with a 5-0 margin until the Monarchs came back to end the first quarter ahead 10-9. The Dragons responded by jumping out with a 9-2 run, capped off by a 3-point basket by Hines with 2:43 left to play in the first half.
The Dragons failed to score another basket while the Monarchs were able to tie the game at 18-18 with a 20-foot jump shot by Kone to end the first half. Kone had 10 point and 11 rebounds in the first two quarters. Young had five points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
The Dragons led 22-18 early in the third quarter, but the Monarchs mounted a 12-0 run to increase their lead 30-22. The Dragons committed a few crucial turnovers during the Monarchs’ surge. After three quarters, Archbishop Mitty was on top 32-28.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Kone made a basket to give the Monarchs a commanding 45-31 lead as Archbishop Mitty’s defense, inside and outside game laid it on thick. Sac High never got closer than 49-40.
BOYS’ DIVISION I NORCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Roseville’s Woodcreek High School’s boys basketball squad was the last team in the Sacramento area with a chance to make it to the state finals next weekend.
Unfortunately, the Timberwolves’ and their “Black Mob” cheering section’s hopes faded away in disappointment.
Woodcreek (27-6) fell to Danville’s San Ramon Valley High 49-45 in a hard fought battle for the D-1 title at Sleep Train Arena. San Ramon Valley will go on to play at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on March 28.
Freshman Jordan Brown had 15 points, 18 rebounds, and one blocked shot for the Timberwolves. Malcolm Thomas scored 12 points and Noah Blackwell added nine points for Woodcreek.
Keith Smith had 16 points and seven rebounds Christian Fuca chipped in 13 points and six rebounds for San Ramon Valley (26-6).
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By Antonio R. Harvey
OBSERVER Staff Writer