SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It didn’t take long for
Oakland to take over the Division III CIF State Championship at Golden 1 Center on Friday. The Wildcats jumped out to a 9-0 lead and had a balanced scoring attack led by senior Money Williams in their 59-43 win over
Buena (Ventura).
“It’s a real funny feeling sitting up here,” said head coach Orlando Watkins. "They all talk about going to state and winning state, it just seems so unreal. I told them it’s real. I’m so proud to be sitting here as these guy’s leader today.”
It’s the first state championship for a school whose alumni includes Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, who sent a message to the team prior to the game.
Oakland fell in the Regional semifinals last season and came out this season with a vengeance, finishing 27-8 and 8-2 in the Oakland League.
The team that won the league, Oakland Tech, was the Wildcats opponent for a fourth time in the Northern Regional final. Oakland Tech won the previous three matchups.
Watkins said the previous losses to Oakland Tech really motivated the Bulldogs.
“They showed us you guys gotta get a little more nastier on the defensive end,” Watkins said. “After the third game our guys were like, it’s not gonna happen again.”
With a trip to Sacramento on the line, Oakland senior
Money Williams scored 25 and the Bulldogs won 77-61.
“Money is just a different kid,” Watkins said. “Money just sees the game different, he works out different. I’ve had some great ones, but Money is just on a different level.”
Williams was the team’s leading scorer in the first half against Buena with six points and helped Oakland score the first nine points of the game. Then up 11-4, Buena had a chance for a two-on-one bucket, but like a jet, senior
Te'shawn Gamble flew down the floor, blocking the Buena shot that sent his team and fans jumping in the air with cheers.
“Nobody plays bigger then Te’shawn,” Watkins said. “Te has been the heart and soul of our defense. He definitely plays bigger than 5-9.”
To which Gamble answered back "5-10," with a laugh.
Gamble was a defensive machine all night, racking up 6 steals to go with 9 points and six assists.
Oakland hoists the CIF Division III state championship trophy after winning 59-43 over Buena Friday at Golden 1 Center. (Photo: David Steutel)
Williams was money in the third quarter as Oakland scored the first 10 points of the frame and took a 44-23 lead into the fourth quarter.
Buena cut the lead below 20 early in the fourth, but then Williams scored consecutive baskets and helped close out the game. Williams finished with 22 points and nine rebounds as the Bulldogs won 59-43.
Anthony Lacy added 9 points and 7 rebounds.
“It’s bigger than basketball,” Williams said. “We did this for the city. I did this for the youth. I want the youth to be like ‘I can do this.’ Stay true to yourself, trust God and you can accomplish your goals.”
