Basketball (Girls) | 2/27/2024 2:25:00 PM

There was an air of jubilation and triumph outside the Cathedral Catholic Dons' locker room as the players left the gym, filled with the echoes of victory and celebration. Beneath the surface of their elation, amidst the cheers and embraces, lay a tale of resilience and determination that had unfolded on the court. Dana Hills (27-6) was the No. 1 seed in Division III facing the No. 16 seeded Cathedral Catholic (22-11) who had just won the Division I title in San Diego Section, its third section title under 10th-year coach Jackie Turpin. 

For Cathedral Catholic, this victory was more than just another game; it was a testament to their unwavering spirit and determination to play another day. Coach Jackie Turpin, in her tenth year at the helm, couldn't contain her pride as she reflected on the journey that had brought them to this momentous occasion. "This win is a testament to the dedication and hard work of every player on this team," Coach Turpin remarked. "We have faced formidable opponents throughout the season to help prepare us for these moments at the end of the season. While this result might have shocked a few, it was the result our team, staff and supporters all expected."

As the game unfolded, both teams showcased their talent trading baskets and the lead deep into the third and fourth quarter. The Dons came out of halftime with a 6 point lead that quickly evaporated with the adjustments Dana Hills made. "They kicked our tail a little bit going high-low and working the inside (to start the second half) so we switched it to man to give them something different. I thought we did OK. It slowed them down and enabled us to get our footing again. We eventually switched back to our 2-3 zone which we are more comfortable in and were able to make some great plays and get big stops to finish the game."





Cathedral fought through shot making struggles in the second half by attacking the glass and getting to the free throw line. The Dons made 12 of 14 free throws in the fourth and finished 19 of 22 for the game. Alana Brackett '24 and Maddie Moeller '25 lead the Dons 43 combined points. Brackett paced the Dons with 25 points, 9 coming from the 3 point line. Moeller finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Maisyn Clements '24 lead the Dons with 9 rebounds, 7 of them on the defensive glass. 

With their eyes set on the next round, the Dons look ahead with confidence, knowing that they have what it takes to go all the way. For them, the journey is far from over, and the best is yet to come. "We're just ready to go play whoever," Turpin added. "We're playing some really good basketball. We're bouncing back from mistakes and making adjustments. We can't wait for the next opportunity to play together."