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El Toro Coach Patrick Nunez holds the CIF championship plaque, joined by assistant coach Nicole Bradshaw and several Chargers. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
El Toro High School’s girls basketball team hit two 3-pointers in a 30 second period late in the second half to break open a tie game and win the CIF Division 3A championship 52-48 over Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary of Montebello Saturday at Edison High School.
It’s the first section title for the El Toro girls basketball program.
To see additional photos, click on the first picture:
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El Toro (19-11) led for more than 27 minutes of the game and opened up a double digit lead in the first half. CSHM (22-8) employed a full court press to cut the El Toro lead to just 27-25 at half.
CSHM finally went ahead 39-38 early in the fourth quarter, then fell behind 44-40, before securing a 46-44 lead with two-and-half minutes to play.
With the game knotted at 46 all, sophomore guard Lenzy Turner hit the first 3-pointer to give El Toro a 49-46 lead with 90 seconds to play. Senior guard Bridget Boyd hit a 3-pointer to expand the lead to six points with a minute to play.
Neither team shot over 50 percent from the free throw line. The differences in the game were El Toro’s 39 percent accuracy from 3-point land (7-of-18) and its 43-36 rebounding advantage.
Boyd led El Toro with 14 points (missing just one shot), four 3-pointers and six rebounds. Senior post player Camryn Bradshaw had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds (six offensive).
Senior point guard Mariana Mina contributed 11 points and five assists. Sophomore guard Lenzy Turner added nine points on three 3-pointers, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.
CSHM was led by sophomore guard Leilani Dominguez with 15 points and three 3-pointers. Senior center Marina Leiva added 11 points and seven rebounds.
Senior point guard Alicia Lara had nine points, nine rebounds and five assists. Sophomore forward Leilannie Chavez contributed seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
El Toro head coach Patrick Nunez and assistant coach Nicole Bradshaw joined in the celebration after the game. A large and enthusiastic contingent of El Toro fans were on hand to cheer on the Chargers.
Both teams continue on to CIF Regional play starting early next week. El Toro (19-11) has won five in a row, eight of its last nine and 12 of its last 14. CSHM fell to 22-8 and had a four-game winning streak snapped.
—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone