Live! CIF State Basketball Championships Friday

Division III
Modesto Christian 64, Santa Barbara 55

With his team struggling badly from the field, turning the ball in bunches and enduring a rash of fouls, Modesto Christian coach Robb Spencer wasn't overly concerned. There was a second half to play.

The Crusaders (27-8), who fought back from a 17-point deficit to win a regional final, used its long and deep bench and crashed the boards en route to its first state title in three tries.

Modesto Christian racked up a remarkable 64 rebounds and got 11 points apiece from Meagan Warwick and Lexi Tubbs to pull out a gritty but less-than-artistic victory.

For Spencer, who lost two previous title games, wouldn't care if the game was played in a mud bath as long as the Crusaders turned out victorious.

They 12 rebounds each from Candice White and Jasmine Hampton and 10 by Tubbs to offset a remarkable 30-point effort from super sophomore Amber Melgoza.

Lailoni Gaines and Hampton had 10 points apiece to finish off a complete and balanced effort.

"The third time is a charm I guess," Spencer said. "I've been on the other side of these, so this feels amazing."

Spencer then turned to his girls in the postgame press conference and applauded his team. He had utter faith.

"I knew the second half we'd respond," he said. "This is what we do. It's survival of the fittest."

The Dons (30-6) certainly know a little bit about endurance and overcoming some obstacles.

Coach Andrew Butcher, at the helm of Santa Barbara's ship for the last 32 years, said his team was sort of a mess during the summer and a state title push seemed as likely as someone taking 28 foul shots in a state championship game.

But both happened.

Melgoza, a 5-7 sophomore who came in averaging a tournament-best 22.1 points per game, annihilated two all-division records by making 20 of 28 free throws en route to Division III-tying 30 points.

She also added 14 rebounds, but Modesto Christian held a 64-37 edge on the boards.

"You're not going to win many games giving up 64 rebounds," Butcher said. "But give (Modesto Christian) the credit. They earned it."

The Dons forced 36 turnovers, but they simply grab 50-50 balls and had a tough time shooting, making just 24 percent of their shots. The big NBA gym and depth perception probably had a lot to do with that, Butcher said, but he didn’t offer it as an excuse.

“They had to shoot here too,” Butcher said. “(Modesto Christian) has played here a couple times but I don’t think that’s enough times to get used to it.”

Modesto Christian wasn't exactly sizzling from the floor at 23 of 66 (35 percent), but their determination and strength proved decisive.

Stephanie Moore added six points and eight rebounds for the winners

Both teams brought large followings, including more than 400 from Santa Barbara without the use of a rooter bus. Desirea Coleman had 11 points and Jada Howard added 10 for the Dons.

“The Santa Barbara community supported us every minute,” Melgoza said.

Said Coleman about playing at an NBA arena: “Every time I came into the game I had chills run down my spine.”

Modest Christian 64, Santa Barbara 55

SANTA BARBARA (30-6)
Desirea Coleman 5-15 1-3 11, Jada Howard 3-11 4-4 10, Amber Melgoza 5-24 20-28 30, Jocelin Petatan 2-8 0-1 4. Totals 15-62 25-36 55.

MODESTO CHRISTIAN (27-8)
Meagen Warwick 4-8 2-4 11, Stephanie Moore 3-10 0-0 6, Lailoni Gaines 3-12 4-8 10, Jasmine Hampton 4-6 2-2 10, Lexi Tubbs 3-8 4-7 11, Nicole Warwick 2-5 0-0 2, Candice White 1-9 3-5 6, Jasmine Spencer 1-3 0-0 2, Viviana Vasquez 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 23-66 15-26 64.

SB     8  17  13  17  — 55
MC  11  16  19  18  — 64

3-point goals: SB 0-8, MC 3-11. Rebounds: SB 37 (Melgoza 14), MC 64 (Gaines 12, White 12). Assists: SB 7, MC 6. Turnovers: SB 25, MC 36. 

Preview
Win streaks: SB 12, MC 11
State record: SB 0-0, MC 0-2
Points per game (allowed): SB 58.8 (42.0), MC 61.5 (40.5)
Terrific trios: Santa Barbara — F Amber Melgoza, PG Desirea Coleman, F Jada Howard. Modesto Christian — G Lexi Tubbs, G Stephanie Moore, F Lailoni Gaines
Notes: Melgoza is the highest-scoring girl in the tournament at 22.1 ppg. … Santa Barbara coach Andrew Butcher has been the team's head coach for 32 years and has sent 21 players to NCAA D-1 programs. … Modesto Christian last lost in the state finals in 2009 to Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista), 54-51.
Predicted winner: Santa Barbara Click on to see Pinewood's quest for a sixth title.