California faced Skyline in the championship game of the Class 3 District 10 Girls Basketball Tournament Saturday at Versailles, where the #2 seeded Lady Pintos scrapped to the very end to defeat the top-seeded Lady Tigers 50-45. The win was extra sweet since California lost the district championship to Skyline last year.
"It's an amazing feat considering the talent in this district," California Coach Bobby Sangster said. "With all the adversity we've had to face, injuries, it's a great accomplishment for this team to be district champions."
Skyline led 8-5 after the first quarter and 21-18 at the half. The Lady Pintos turned up the heat in the third quarter to outscore the Lady Tigers 12-3 and led 30-24 going into the final frame. Skyline, however, went on a 9-point run to pull ahead of California 36-32 with 5:33 left to play.
With 2:23 remaining, senior Kaitlyn Allison nailed a 3-pointer to put the Lady Pintos within one point of the Lady Tigers, 40-39. Sophomore Sydney Deeken sank a shot to pull the Lady Pintos ahead 41-40 with 1:50 left to play.
For more of this story check out the March 7 issue of the California Democrat.