The Golden Hawks got a game-high 18 points from senior
Delaney Shiring as they hung on for a victory in which neither team was able to create separation and pull away.
El Dorado players and coaches hoist the CIF Division III trophy after beating Valley Christian 42-40 on Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. (PHOTO: David Steutel)
Up 24-21 at half, El Dorado started the third quarter on an 8-2 run to open a 32-23 lead. But Valley Christian senior
Kenedi Nomura wasn't about to let the game get away from the Warriors.
She scored her team's first 16 points of the second half before a
Lizzy Rodrigues 3-pointer cut the Golden Hawks' advantage to 39-38 with less than two minutes remaining.
But as impressive as Nomura's scoring prowess was, Shiring nearly matched her opponent and hit a shot-clock beating 3-pointer earlier in the period that helped El Dorado (24-14) counter a comeback bid.
"Honestly, when I shot it, I didn't think it was going to go in," she said laughing.
Trailing 42-40 with less than 20 seconds remaining, Valley Christian (16-16) had a chance to tie or take the lead. Nomura got the ball on the wing and drove the lane only to have the El Dorado help defense collapse and force a turnover.
"We said 'No 3s, no fouls' on that last possession," said El Dorado coach Matthew Raya.
