SACRAMENTO — Centennial (Corona) won its first California state titl, beating
Clovis 73-66 on Friday in the Division I final at Golden 1 Center.
McDonald's All American
Cydnee Bryant had a double-double for the Huskies in the back-and-forth affair. Her 3-pointer in the third quarter gave Centennial its biggest lead of the night at the time.
Cal commit
Armanyie Reed dominated all night for Centennial and helped the Huskies dig out of a six-point, third-quarter deficit. The junior was able to either finish at the rim or get to the line with ease, scoring 25 points, nine of which came at the line. The multi-faceted guard added seven rebounds and dished out seven assists.
"It's really hard to find a guard that is gonna go get down and dirty in there with the bigs and she doesn't care about getting hit, she doesn't care about the foul," Bryant said. "She was the difference and the leader of this team."
Five-star sophomore
Sydney Douglas had a dominant final 16 minutes with 17 points and eight rebounds for Centennial. The daughter of Maylana Martin, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft finished with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double.
"You aren't gonna find many 6-7 girls that can maneuver down low like she
can," Bryant said. "I'm glad that she got to get hers and I got to contribute and I'm
headed to Kansas with a state title and a ring on my finger."
Centennial players and coaches hoist the CIF Division I trophy after beating Clovis 73-66 on Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. (PHOTO: David Steutel)
Overall Bryant and Douglas combined for 34 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
"I don't think you are gonna find two more talented bigs than Bryant and
Douglas," Centennial head coach Matt Tumambing said. "We have two of the
best bigs in the country that really, on any given night, even if I'm
having the worst coaching night, these two will always make me look the
best."
Led by 21 points from
Yazmin Aguilera and 19 from
Sadie Sin, Clovis built up a six-point lead in the third quarter. Aguilera's seven 3-pointers is a state championship record in Division I.
"I'm Incredibly proud of my team, absolutely came to fight, came for a battle," said Clovis head coach Cooper Steele. "I couldn't be more proud. I'm having a tough time hanging my head."
Centennial led 15-10 after the first quarter before Clovis clawed back and tied the score at 33-33 at halftime. The Cougars started the third quarter on fire and built up a 43-37 lead midway through the third quarter.
The Huskies then scored 12 straight points in less than two minutes to take a 49-43 lead. Clovis was able to cut the deficit to three late in the fourth, but the Huskies connected on 95 percent of their free throws to put the game away, 73-66.
