STAKES SUDDENLY HIGH FOR MADISON

It came as a big shock to junior Cameron Smith, the leading scorer on the Madison High girls basketball team.

Finally, someone mentioned to her what the rewards were.

Thanks to a 46-37 victory Saturday over sixth-seeded San Diego in the Socal Regional Division V semifinals, No. 7 Madison is one win from a berth in the state championships next week in Sacramento.

“That’s crazy,” said Smith, who led the visiting Warhawks (18-17) in scoring with 17 points. “This is all pretty unreal to me.

“We didn’t have a winning program when I got to Madison.”

And Madison was throttled 62-37 by San Diego on Nov. 25.

The Warhawks will take their shot at the school’s first state championship game in Tuesday’s regional final at No. 4 East Bakersfield.

Madison 46, San Diego 37

“Freshman year we had the flu and lost in state,” Smith said. “Last year we lost on the road in Anaheim.

“I can’t believe this is happening because I never realized what was at stake.”

Madison also got 15 points and 17 rebounds from junior Imani Moore.

After a lackluster first half, with Madison holding a slim 19-16 lead, Smith, with just three points, turned it on.

The team’s leading scorer with an 11.3 average coming into the game, ran off seven points in both the third and fourth quarters.

The Warhawks, who grabbed the lead for good at 21-20 early in the third quarter, converted 10-of-17 free throws in the final quarter to snap an eight-game winning streak for the Cavers (22-9).

San Diego got 10 points from senior Elisabeth Beesley.