California championships: McClatchy wins classic D1 title game over Serra

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — This is one they'll be talking about for a long time in California basketball history.

McClatchy (Sacramento) fell behind 14-3, roared back to take a commanding 10-point lead with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining, watched Serra (Gardena) pull off a nearly miraculous comeback, and finally prevailed 65-61 in a California Division I championship double-overtime instant classic at Haas Pavilion.

It sent a huge and loud fan base from Sacramento home happy and exhausted. The Lions, behind 19 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks from Gigi Garcia, won the first girls title in any sport by any school in Sacramento Unified City School District history.

Even in defeat, Serra coach McKenzie Hadley could appreciate the moment. He put it all into perspective.

"Both teams played extremely well," he said. "There were big shots, hard shots, big moments. ... And they all made for long, lasting memories forever."

Serra pulled off a five-point play and a three-pointer in the final minute to set up dramatic sequence at the end of regulation. Without a timeout, the Cavaliers forced a five-second call underneath its own basket with 2.5 seconds left. Briana Johnson (21 points) then drilled an NBA-range three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

Somehow, despite that dagger, McClatchy (27-7) found the will to prevail.

"We were all exhausted," said senior guard Lauren Nubla, who had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. "But the adrenalin kept us going. We just wanted it real bad. It all came down to heart."

In the second overtime, 6-foot-2 junior Garcia hit two interior buckets in the final minute and Alex Washington clinched it with two free throws and 4.0 seconds left.

"I haven't seen anyone better in Northern California than Gigi," said McClatchy coach Jessica Kunisaki. "She just dominated the second overtime. She took it to the basket. She blocked shots. She's our rock."

Brijaye Brackett had 14 points and 15 rebounds for Serra, while Destiney Lee, a UNLV-signee who has missed much of the season with a foot injury, had 12 and seven rebounds for McClatchy.

After the game both teams were understandably emotional and spent.

"They can sleep next all next week," Kunisaki said. "It's spring break."

McClatchy 65, Serra 61

SERRA (23-11)
Briana Johnson 8-16 3-6 21, Nautica Morrow 2-13 1-2 6, Brooke Bayman 2-8 2-4 8, Dambo 1-9 0-1 3, Brackett 6-15 0-0 14, Rachel Carson-Duru 1-2 0-0 2, Camille Hailev 0-3 1-2 1. Totals 22-72 7-15 61.

MCCLATCHY (27-7)
Kelsey Wong 1-4 1-1 3, Lauren Nubla 4-9 6-8 15, Kristi Wong 3-8 2-2 9, Gigi Garcia 7-15 5-8 19, Jordan Cruz 0-5 1-2 1, Sara Shimizu 1-4 0-0 2, Destiney Lee 6-12 1-4 12, Jada Foonesca 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 23-59 17-24 65.

Serra         14  11   8  16  6   6 — 61
McClatchy 12   6  11  20  6  10 — 65

3-point goals: Albano 2, Brackett 2, Johnson 2, Bayman 2, Morrow, Dambo, Nubla, Wong. Rebounds: Serra 50 (Brackett 15), McClatchy 46 (Garcia 20). Turnovers: Serra 16, McClatchy 15.