Pagila helped Dragons to title
PINOLE » As second-seeded Bishop O’dowd received its championship medals after a 62-60 victory over No. 1 seed Salesian in the California Interscholastic Federation Northern California Division I championship game, players congregated near center court and gave out high fives and fist bumps — the typical mix.
But when Abigail Pagila, who finished with 12 points and three steals, received her medal, the standard greeting wasn’t enough.
Pagila had worn the joyful tears of a champion since the final buzzer was sounded. When the senior co-captain made her way to her teammates, she was embraced with hugs.
Bishop O’dowd boasted many heroes Tuesday night.
Kennedy Johnson totaled a team-high 17 points along with six rebounds, two steals and a block. Amaya Bonner dazzled with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. Skylar Tyson-stockey threw up six points and four rebounds off the bench.
None of the Dragons, however, matched Pagila’s heroic play down the stretch. In the game’s final minute, she scored four points, hit the go-ahead free throw and iced the game to will her team to the state final.
“She just played so smart,” Bishop
O’dowd coach Malik Mccord said. “As a senior, she played as a senior tonight. I’m so proud of her.”
Pagila’s literal last-minute heroics were just one part of a wild fourth quarter that made for an instant classic. Here’s how the final moments of this game went down:
With 2:08 remaining in regulation, Johnson gets fouled and hits a pair of free throws. O’dowd takes a 58-56 lead, its first of the game.
The rest of the way was a wave of emotions.
“I told them before the game, no matter if we get up or if we get down, you continue to believe in each other,” a pleased Mccord said. “We can battle back from any situation. It came to fruition today.”