With 5 freshmen and 4 sophomores on the 11-player roster, the Francis Parker College ladies basketball crew wanted a babysitter as a lot as a coach.
“I'm a babysitter and a coach,” Parker head coach Courtney Clements mentioned.
Satisfied that her kids could be superb, Clements didn’t pamper the Lancers when it got here to scheduling. Clements lined up Etiwanda, the reigning California Open Division state champion, South Sectional energy Sierra Canyon and Mission Hills, the No. 1 crew in San Diego.
“We've intentionally deliberate a tricky preparation for this a part of the season to assist them mature a bit faster than regular,” Clements mentioned.
On Friday evening, inside San Marcos Excessive College's Knights Heart, Parker's maturation paid off because the Lancers defeated Victory Christian Academy 47-35 to win the CIF San Diego Part 2 Division 2 ladies basketball title. The championship was the primary in class historical past for Parker's ladies basketball program .
“It's one thing I've come to count on from this group,” mentioned Clements, who performed at San Diego State below former coach Beth Burns and scored 1,771 factors in her school profession. “I feel they’re very proficient. I feel it's protected to say that that is the primary of many to come back. It's thrilling.”
Two freshmen and three sophomores begin for the Lancers (20-9). Brieana Brown, a 6-foot-5 ahead, entered the title recreation averaging 14.7 factors and 11.1 rebounds, each crew bests. Brown didn't rating within the first quarter, however confirmed large endurance and completed with 13 factors and 16 rebounds.
Guards freshman Gigi Ong and sophomore Kaitlyn Raagas additionally scored 13 factors.
Of the even scoring, Clements mentioned, “That's my favourite stat, all people's coming in.”
Parker led 14-7 after the primary quarter and 21-14 at halftime. VCA (22-7) lower the deficit to 5 late within the third quarter, however as time wound down late within the interval, Ong drove to the basket and performed with one second on the clock to take a 31-24 benefit. .
The Knights would by no means get nearer than seven the remainder of the sport. VCA sophomore Mai'ana Norita led all scorers with 19 factors.
Whereas Parker misplaced to Mission Hills and fell to Etiwanda by 30, Raagas felt the robust video games consumed the Lancers.
“All of us knew (coach) needed to push us,” Raagas mentioned. “Particularly as a result of we knew that if we needed to be the place we’re proper now, to make a future within the playoffs, we'd higher be ready.”
Or as Brown put it, “After we play a number of the greatest groups within the nation, we're battle-tested and able to play.”
Each Victory Christian Academy and Francis Parker advance to the Southern California Regionals subsequent week.
UC upsets RBV in boys last
Third-seeded College Metropolis used a 27-point fourth quarter to upset top-seeded Rancho Buena Vista 72-57 at San Marcos Excessive College. The Centurions received their second CIF-San Diego Part title and first since 2011.
Dylan Griffin and Ash Aka led the Centurions with 24 and 23 factors, respectively. Aka hit a half-court 3-pointer on the buzzer within the third quarter to offer UC a 45-38 lead. The Centurions outscored RBV 27-19 within the fourth quarter.
Sophomore CJ Aldrich led RBV with 22 factors.
