PRE-GAME INTRO: Santa Barbara High is playing for the CIF 3AA Division girls basketball championship against Lake Elsinore-Lakeside at the Felix Events Center on the campus of Azusa Pacific University. Santa Barbara (25-5) is the top-seeded team in the division and Lakeside (23-6) is the No. 2 team. Both teams were knocked out in the semifinals last season. Santa Barbara is the CIF Final for the first time since 1989.
POST-GAME UPDATE: It finally happened for Andrew Butcher and the respected Santa Barbara High girls basketball program he’s coached for more than 30 years.
The Dons won their first CIF championship.
Getting a 38-point performance from super sophomore Amber Melgoza, terrific leadership and decision making from senior point guard Desirea Coleman and solid and steady play from its role players, top-seeded Santa Barbara ran away from Lake Elsinore-Lakeside, 67-43, in the 3AA Division title game at Azusa Pacific’s Felix Events Center on Saturday.
Continue reading CIF game report HERE
FOURTH QUARTER
Dons open quarter with Coleman hustling for a loose ball and feeding Melgoza for a layup, 51-31.
Dons extend lead to 57-33 with 6:28 to go.
Gebhardt hits two FTs, 59-33 with 5:57 to go
Melgoza cramping in her right leg, leaves the game with 5:04 to go
A great possession by Dons. They work the ball around, running down clock and Melgoza hits a fallaway shot as shot-block expires, 61-38
Melgoza hits two FTs
Melgoza bank shot to make it 65-38
It’s 66-41 Dons with 1:25 left
Santa Barbara is going to win its first CIF title in girls basketball
SANTA BARBARA WINS 3AA CIF TITLE, 67-43 OVER LAKESIDE
Amber Melgoza scores 38 points.
THIRD QUARTER
Dons take a 32-18 lead.Melgoza steal and layup; Melgoza steal, layup and free throw.
Mai Crawley scores for Lakeside 32-20.Howard scores on a inbound play to give Dons a 36-22 lead.
Lakeside’s Victoria Sosa scores on an offensive rebound to make 36-24
Lakeside’s Sosa converts 3-point play after an offensive rebound, 38-27
Santa Barbara builds lead to 45-29 behind the scoring of Melgoza. She breaks press for a layup, takes a feed from Coleman and scores and converts FT and hits jumper. 1:47 left in quarter
Another steal on press by Melgoza, 47-29.
Two free throws by Jada Howard make it 49-29Dons lead at end of the quarter, 49-31.
SECOND QUARTER
Kianna Williams opens quarter with a long 3 for Lakeside, 10-9
Melgoza scores inside for Dons, 12-9
Maia Crowley scores for Lakeside, 12-11, SB
Marissa Williams hits a 3 to give Lakeside a 14-12 lead. Coleman hits a 3 for Dons to put them up 15-14 at 5:18
Jada Howard picks up her second foul at 4:29 mark.
Dons make back to back 3s by Amber Melogza and Dezzy Coleman, lead 21-16 at 1:58
Melgoza hits a 16 footer, Dons lead 23-16 at 1:47
Kimberly Gebhardt fouled grabbing a defensvie rebound, shooting 1 and 1, misses front end.
Lakeside has gone cold and Dons are grabbing defensive boards.
Coleman long pass to Melgoza who is fouled. Makes both FTs, 25-16 Dons with 30 seconds left
Coleman steal on press, feeds Melgoza for basket, 27-16.Santa Barbara leads 27-16 at halftime. Melgoza has 14 points and Coleman 11 for the Dons.
FIRST QUARTER
Lakeside wins the tip and scores first basket, a 17-footer bu Kianna Williams.
Dezzy Coleman feeds a cutting Amber Melgoza and Melgoza is fouled. Melgoza makes the first FT and misses second, 2-1.
Jada Howard scores off an assist from Coleman, 4-3
Lakeside playing high pressure, has already forced two SB turnoers.
Santa Barbara getting looks but can’t convert. Dons finally take the lead, a long pass from Jocelin Petatan to Amber Melgoza for a layup. SB leads 5-4, 2:13 left in quarter.
Coleman drives around defender for a layup and an 8-6 Dons lead.
Coleman draws a foul while shooting; makes both FTs, 10-6 Dons at the end of the first quarter
PRE-GAME NOTES: The Dons and Lancers have taken the court to warm-up at 1:30 at the Felix Events Center. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. Santa Barbara fans are wearing green T-Shirts with a gold basketball on the front.
