LOS ANGELES — The San Pedro girls basketball team went into Friday’s City Section final against Chatsworth trying to win the program’s first title since 1986.
The Pirates seemed to be on the brink of losing, though, as they trailed by five points with a minute remaining in the contest and missing two of their top players, Shalia Coleman and Maia Wooldridge, who had fouled out.
But that’s when junior Noelani Raigans took over, finding a way way to rally the Pirates to a 52-51 victory in overtime to win the Division II title at Venice High.
“She has been doing it the entire year,” San Pedro coach Kevin Simpson said. “We never wavered, we didn’t get into panic mode.
“They went up five with a minute and half to play and we stayed the course. We practice for these situations. One girl goes down and the next one steps up. Our defense has been the story of the season. We forced turnovers in critical moments. We are a team of destiny, I’m proud to coach them.”
Raigans started the comeback by sinking a 3-pointer with 23 seconds left to cut San Pedro’s deficit to two points.
With 15 seconds remaining, Raigans was fouled. She hit both free throws to tie the score at 43, and that sent the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Chatsworth’s Madison Guerrero hit a 3-pointer to give the Chancellors a 48-45 lead with 1:59 remaining.
Raigans responded with a lay-up and followed that with a 3-pointer to give the Pirates (21-8) a 50-48 lead.
Raigans added a late layup to give the Pirates a four-point lead.
“I knew I had to step up and do what I do,” she said. “I just had to make those shots to help us win. I knew I had to step up and do it for my seniors. This means a lot to win this to our school and our basketball program.”
Raigans scored 11 of the final 14 points for the Pirates and finished the game with 18 points.
Coleman had 16 for San Pedro and Guerrero led Chatsworth with 15.
San Pedro led 21-14 at halftime and took a 30-16 lead…
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