The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Santiago is no match for Oakland Tech
SACRAMENTO >> Santiago’s quest for a CIF State girls basketball championship was stopped by an opponent that was just too fast, too experienced and too good to beat.
The Sharks lost to Oakland Tech 75-52 on Friday in the CIF State Division I championship game at Golden 1 Center.
It was the first state finals appearance for Santiago’s girls basketball program.
Oakland Tech is 5-0 in girls basketball state championship games, including a victory in last season’s Division III final. The Bulldogs’ five CIF State titles are the fourth most in state history.
Friday’s game was a rematch of a December tournament game. Santiago (2510) lost to Oakland Tech 62-57 in the West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area.
Senior Mckinley Willardson led the Sharks with 21 points and 10 rebounds. She made 9 of her 14 shots. Jayda Cobbs scored 11 points for the Sharks and Rylee Ghent and Zawadi
Ogot scored nine each for Santiago.
Four Oakland Tech players scored in double figures. Taliyah Logwood scored 16 points with 12 rebounds, seven of those offensive rebounds. Terri’a Russell scored 15 points, Erin Sellers scored 14 points and Nia Hunter scored 13.
The Bulldogs outscored Santiago 23-7 in the fourth quarter.
While disappointed by the outcome, Santiago coach Mike Mitchell said the Sharks had plenty of reasons to celebrate the season.
“It’s the first time our school’s been (to a state championship game),” Mitchell said. “We missed a lot of easy shots early in the game. All I can say is I’m proud of our ladies for getting here.”
The Sharks’ season included a 10-0 run in the Big VIII League.
Santiago had a 15-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Sharks got many of their first-quarter points at the free-throw line where they were 6 for 10 in the quarter.