CIF State Championships: Rolling Hills Prep makes ammends, wins girls Division 4 championship

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SACRAMENTO — Sophomores Alyssa Maxey and Macy Pakele scored 16 points apiece, and yet another sophomore Naya Stroud made the go-ahead shot with 22 seconds left, lifting Rolling Hills Prep (San Pedro, Calif.) to a thrilling 57-53 win over Woodside Priory (Portola Valley) for the CIF State Division 4 girls championship game Friday at Golden 1 Arena.

After Ila Lane (20 points, 17 rebounds) made her first three-pointer of the season — on her first attempt of the year — to tie the game at 53 with 30 seconds left, Stroud took a pass from Pakele and immediately swished a jumper from the right wing.

Though the Huskies (31-2) could have waited to take the last shot, coach Richard Masson had no problem with the shot. The fact it went in, certainly helped.

"I never tell a kid not to take an open look," Masson said. "I was good with it."

Especially after she made it.

Said Stroud, a 5-foot-9 wing: "I was just playing in the moment. When (Lane) made it, it sort of raised the bar so I had to step up."

Pakele, a 5-6 guard was everywhere with 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals. She also made 8 of 11 free throws and her team was 24-for-31 from the line. Priory (17-15) was just 9-for-15. That was largely the difference.

"I think they were the more aggressive team throughout," Priory coach Buck Matthews said. "They knocked down the big shots. I think it helped they were here before."

Masson, whose team lost 63-40 to Eastside Prep-East Palo Alto in last year's D5 championship, agreed.

"We didn't have that deer in the headlight look like last year," Masson said.

There were plenty of tears in the eyes of Priory's leader Tatiana Reese, a four-year starter who finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, but in only 23 minutes. She fouled out 18 seconds into the fourth quarter.

During the postgame media conference, two of the Panthers spoke up on her behalf. Reese was inconsolable. The week before, she had four fouls heading into the fourth quarter, but stayed made the game-winning shot in a 59-58 win over Bradshaw Christian.

Like the previous week, Reese told Matthews "Keep me in."

Said Matthews: "I'll probably have second thoughts about that one. We sort of let the chips fall where they may. …. It's obviously been a great run and a great season. It hurts the girls right now, but kudos to Rolling Hills Park for really executing their game plan."

Clarice Akunwafo, a 6-4 freshman, had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Rolling Hills. Priory, which returned its program four seasons ago after disbanding for three seasons due to lack of participation, outrebounded Rolling Hills 51-32.

Both teams shot poorly (Rolling Hills 26 percent, Priory 32 percent), but they were never separated by more than five points.

"We were the sixth seed at regional, not given much of a chance, so this is basically our fourth straight road game," Masson said. "It takes a special group to play on all these different stages. We've been resilient. We've stood up to every challenge. They kept their composure. I'm really proud of these girls. They totally deserve it."