Lady Blue adds another trophy
Roy-Mosquero edges To’hajiilee
In a traditional offensive set, Roy-Mosquero didn’t always shine. But amidst the chaos, it flourished.
The No. 2-seeded Lady Blue captured their second 1A state title in three seasons by beating fourthseeded To’hajiilee, 62-61, Saturday morning at the Pit.
Tanna Crisp converted a go-ahead layup with 10 seconds left in the fourth for a 62-60 lead.
To’hajiilee’s Cadence Secataro was fouled on the next possession with 2.3 seconds left but made just one of two free throws, leaving her club one-point shy.
“It feels more real (this year),” said Crisp, who played on the 2021 state title team. She finished with a game-high 21 points. “We have the full experience, the full package. That first year, you come to play basketball, celebrate, then go home. This year, we’ve been here all week . ... We came together, definitely.”
The Lady Blue shot just 36 percent from the field, but forced 26 Warriors turnovers and had 23 offensive rebounds. Most of those plays yielded positive results on the offensive end.
“That’s how it’s been (for us) most of the year,” said Roy-Mosquero coach Blair Cavel. “We were fortunate to get some steals and turnovers off the press.”
The Lady Blue (28-2) took control in the third period, raising a seven-point halftime lead to 41-28 lead on a Crisp bucket with 4:51 left in the third.
To’hajiilee (27-2) roared back with a 13-3 run, capped by an Alyce Apachito bucket, to close the quarter.
The two clubs tied or traded leads seven times in the final quarter, the last time at 60-60 after a Donata Secatero corner 3 for the Warriors with 1:14 left. She played with four fouls the entire second half and finished with a team-high 15 points. Apachito added 13 points and eight rebounds.
“Making it to the Pit, we made history for our school and our community,” Apachito said.