SACRAMENTO — Woodland Christian (Woodland) started the year slow, but found its stride in March and ended the season as the California Division V champion, beating
Rosamond 47-41 on Friday at Golden 1 Center.
The Cardinals (31-7) got off to a 2-5 start on the season, but closed the year winning 29 of their last 30 to win their first state banner. The lone blemish on the way to the title was a 45-42 loss to Bret Harte in the Sac-Joaquin Section finals.
"It was an advantage playing here (Golden 1) for the section finals," Woodland Christian coach Shiloh Sorbello said. "We didn't play our best, the lights were a little too bright and we were on a 23-game heater.
"We hadn't lost in so long, but the girls buckled down. It was state title or bust at that point."
Woodland Christian head coach Shiloh Sorbello celebrates the school's first girls basketbal state title with his team after the Cardinals' 47-41 Division V win Friday over Rosamond at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. (PHOTO: David Steutel)
On Friday, Woodland Christian's title hopes hung in the balance as Rosamond had cut the Cardinals' 42-35 lead to start the fourth quarter down to three on two free throws by
Ariel Cain with 90 seconds left in the game.
But two Roadrunnner turnovers, combined with three free throws late in the game and an amazing 50 rebounds sealed Woodland Christian's first state title.
Woodland Christian's 50 rebounds eclipsed its points by three, led by 17 from
Siena Sorbello and 12 from
Bailee Broward. Senior
Teagan Hayes, a University of Tennessee at Martin softball commit, led the Cardinals with game-high 18 points, including two free throws with 9 seconds left to salt the game away.
Keziah Maldonado-Lemus added 12 points in the victory.
"In every challenge, they stepped up," coach Shiloh Sorbello said. "We've got some dogs up here and they hit some big shots."
The loss snapped a 14-game win streak for Rosamond (29-8), which was led by Cain's 14 points.
Teagan Hayes, a Tennessee-Martin softball commit, led Woodland Christian with 18 points in its 47-41 Division V state title win Friday over Rosamond. (PHOTO: David Steutel)
Ariel Cain led Rosamond with 14 points in the Roadrunners' 47-41 loss to Woodland Christian in Friday's Division V state final. (PHOTO: David Steutel)
Woodland Christian's Siena Sorbello grabbed 17 of the Cardinals' 50 rebounds on Friday in their Division V victory over Rosamond. (PHOTO: David Steutel)
