Basketball (Girls) | 2/24/2024 3:29:00 PM

Chula Vista, CA - In a thrilling display of resilience and determination, the Cathedral Catholic High School girls basketball team secured a hard-fought victory over Grossmont, claiming the coveted San Diego Section Division 1 championship at Otay Ranch. Despite facing pressure from the Grossmont squad, the Dons emerged triumphant, showcasing their grit and determination to hoist the championship trophy.

"Grossmont puts the pressure on," remarked Cathedral Catholic coach Jackie Turpin. "They make you play hard and speed you up for all 32 minutes." The Dons, seeded at the top with an impressive record of 21-11, faced adversity throughout the game, grappling with turnovers and a challenging performance at the free throw line. Turpin attributed the turnovers to Grossmont's relentless pressure, while acknowledging that missed free throws were simply a result of nerves.

For Turpin, a seasoned champion both as a player and a coach, this victory holds special significance. It marks the third championship for Cathedral Catholic during her tenure, with previous titles in 2019 and 2021 in the Open Division. The triumph is made even sweeter by the presence of players who witnessed the team's previous victories but hadn't yet experienced the thrill of competing on the championship stage.

The game started with quite a few missed shots and turnovers for both squads who were obviously playing a little tight and nervous. Once both teams settled in the scoring opened up in the second quarter with the Dons taking a 21-9 lead midway through the second. The Hillers didn't relent and their defense proved a bit much for the Dons. The Hillers roared back to cut into the deficit and both teams went into half with the Dons only leading by 3 with a 24-21 scoreline. 

To start the third the Hillers started with a bucket to take the score to 24-23 but they wouldn't get any closer. The Dons settled in and made some big shots and got some key defensive stops, especially in the fourth secure the win. 

Alana Brackett '24, a key player for the Dons and a member of the team during their last title win, expressed her disbelief at the team's journey to the championship game and ultimate victory. "Who would have thought at the beginning of the year that we'd be in a championship game, let alone win it?" Brackett exclaimed. "To win this means everything."

Teammate Maddie Moeller '25, who shared the team-high honors with with Brackett with 18 points, echoed Brackett's sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the victory to her and her teammates. "This means the world to me and all my teammates," Moeller declared.

Freshman McKinley Hanlon finished the game with a team high 9 rebounds with her teammate Maisyn Clements '24 corralling 7. The Dons were assisted on 12 of their 20 field goals and shot 45% from the field. While Grossmont was quite formidable on defense, the Dons nabbed 11 total steals themselves throughout the game. 

As the Dons celebrate their victory, they look ahead to future challenges with renewed determination. With their eyes set on the Southern California Regionals, the team remains focused on continuing their winning momentum and representing Cathedral Catholic and San Diego with pride on the regional stage.