OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – Making its first appearance in a Northern Section CIF title game since 2001, the Colusa varsity girl’s basketball team put forth a valiant effort against reigning Division IV champion and No. 1 seeded University Prep last Saturday afternoon at Butte College, but ultimately came up short 37-43.
Although it was a slow start for both teams, the No. 2 seeded RedHawks surged ahead 12-8 at the end of the first quarter following a three by JV call-up Elli Quintana, a two-point bucket underneath from Marlie Berry and a layup by Danica Chavez at the buzzer.
But the lead was short-lived as the Panthers, who controlled the glass and worked the pick-and-roll effectively came back to tie it at 18-all midway through the second period.
Still, Colusa despite having Chavez, the team’s leading scorer held to just four points in the first half, was able to hang in there and maintain an slim 23-22 advantage going into the locker room at the half.
Unfortunately for the RedHawks however, the third quarter was to be their undoing as U-Prep outscored them 16-6 behind three three-pointers by U-Prep guard Aubrey Caudell.
As a result, Colusa found itself down 29-38 heading into the final quarter, but quickly cut the deficit to just four after Alena Sanchez drained a three and Addison Lay scored on a soft jumper from the baseline.
Yet it was as close as the RedHawks would get as the Panthers effectively used the clock and put the ball in the hands of their leading scorer Joanna Warren, who delivered four of her game-high 15 points down the stretch.
D4 title game played on Mar. 1 at Butte College.
Additional credit has to go to U-Prep’s defense, as it was able to hold Colusa’s offense to 14 points under its season average.
Alena Sanchez scored a team-high eight points, Chavez, who was under constant duress throughout the game, finished with seven points, while Lay and Carlie Sanchez chipped in with six points apiece.
To get to the section title game the RedHawks dismissed No. 3 Orland 66-39 in the semifinal round behind a season-high 36 points from Chavez.
Nonetheless, in spite of the disappointing loss, Sacramento Valley League champion and NSCIF Division III runner-up Colusa (23-7) saw its season continue in the Division IV CIF State Tournament as the No. 16 seed when it traveled to Galt to play No. 1 seeded Liberty Ranch, a school of over 1,000 students, on Mar. 4.