SACRAMENTO — Granada Hills Charter girls basketball made history before it even began playing Caruthers in the CIF State Division III championship contest Friday afternoon at Golden 1 Center.
The Highlanders were the first girls basketball team to represent the Los Angeles City Section in Sacramento since Narbonne in 2001.
“They seized the moment of this opportunity and we were able to get to the state championship,” first-year Granada Hills head coach Rai Colston said. “And we want to continue this success and keep representing the community.”
Granada Hills outscored Caruthers in two quarters, but defensive pressure and turnovers allowed the Blue Raiders to come out with a 54-48 win and a CIF State title.
Karma Paez led Granada Hills with 15 points. Gabriella Arellano scored 11 points and pulled down six rebounds and Brigita Bulotaite added 10 points and six rebounds.
Caruthers gained a 6-0 lead to start the game, but the Highlanders nearly caught up on a 3-pointer from Gabriela Arellano and an easy lay-in from lengthy center Brigita Bulotaite.
Bulotaite’s size advantage has served Granada Hills well this season, but defenders flocked to her in the post on Friday afternoon and the Blue Raiders limited the Highlanders to eight points in the first quarter while scoring 16 for themselves.
“It created opportunities for other players to get some open shots,” Colston said of Bulotaite’s limitations. “And early on, we were knocking them down. Late in the game in the second half, we just couldn’t finish when we had opportunities.”
@haleymsawyer Granada Hills girls basketball had the chance to play at an NBA arena in the CIF championships in Sacramento. https://www.dailynews.com/2024/03/08/granada-hills-girls-basketball-loses-to-caruthers-in-cif-state-finals-but-embraces-big-stage-opportunity/ #sports #basketball #highschoolbasketball #championships #girlsbasketball #womensbasketball #girlpower #coach #granadahills #golden1center
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