Mission accomplished: Oakland Tech girls win Division I state championship

byDuc Manh •March 11, 2023

0

SACRAMENTO — Oakland Tech’s women basketball workforce craved one closing problem.

For this supremely profitable group of Bulldogs, there was a coveted piece of hardware lacking from the seniors’ trophy case.

A Division I state title.

The Bulldogs had already gained Division IV in 2019 and Division III in 2022.

In 2020, the group conquered NorCal as a Division II workforce, solely to have the state championship sport canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coach Leroy Damage knew his workforce may compete towards stronger competitors if given an opportunity and stated as a lot after the 2022 title sport.

A 12 months later, Tech took the Golden 1 Heart court docket as NorCal’s consultant within the Division I title sport towards Santiago-Corona. And simply because the workforce had carried out so many occasions over the past 4 years, the Bulldogs buried their opponent within the fourth quarter en path to a 75-52 victory.

“You don’t take enjoyment in it until it’s over, and it’s over” Damage stated. “These children…I’m happy with you guys.”

“We did it.”

The Oakland Tech girls basketball team celebrate their CIF Division I girls state championship after defeating Santiago High at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, March 10, 2023. Oakland Tech defeats Santiago 75-52. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) — The Oakland Tech women basketball workforce have a good time their CIF Division I women state championship after defeating Santiago Excessive on the Golden 1 Heart in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, March 10, 2023. Oakland Tech defeats Santiago 75-52. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)

It was the college’s first Division I state championship for the reason that nice Alexis Grey-Lawson led Tech to consecutive Division I titles in 2004 and 2005. Taliyah Logwood led Tech with 16 factors and 12 boards, Terri’A Russell scored 15, Erin Sellers scored 14 factors, and Nia Hunter scored 13.

“I advised the youngsters we should win in the present day,” Damage stated. “Disgrace on us if we don’t end.”

The Oakland faculty trailed 15-14 after one quarter, with Santiago capitalizing on Tech turnovers and free throws to regulate the tempo of the sport. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs turned it round within the second half. Tech switched to a 2-3 zone, and Santiago couldn't make its open three-pointers from the corners.

Oakland Tech's Nia Hunter, center, and teammates celebrate their CIF Division I girls state championship after defeating Santiago High at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, March 10, 2023. Oakland Tech defeats Santiago 75-52. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) — Oakland Tech’s Nia Hunter, heart, and teammates have a good time their CIF Division I women state championship after defeating Santiago Excessive on the Golden 1 Heart in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday, March 10, 2023. Oakland Tech defeats Santiago 75-52. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)

On the opposite finish, Tech’s Logwood shredded Santiago’s protection in area, scoring eight first-half factors and pushing the ball in transition.

Santiago led 20-18 early within the second quarter. However Tech went on a 7-0 run, keyed by a Mari Somvichian 3-pointer from the suitable wing, and an old school midrange financial institution shot plus the foul for an much more old school three-point play by freshman Terri’A Russell.

“For my graduating class, that is our final sport win or lose, so this would possibly as effectively be our final win and our final championship,” Somvichian stated.

The third quarter began with a Sellers 3-pointer and a Logwood fastbreak layup, however Santiago went on an 8-0 run of its personal over the subsequent two minutes. Afterward, the 2 heavyweights spent the remainder of the quarter slugging it out.

Russell was a difference-maker, scoring six factors and enjoying strong assist protection on Santiago drives. Tech ended the third quarter up 52-45.

The Bulldogs put the title away within the fourth interval, beginning the quarter on a 12-4 run. Jada Williams bought two fastbreak layups, Sellers picked a Santiago ballhandler for an additional simple lay-in to cap the run. By the tip of the sport, even the Granada followers ready for the beginning of the Division I boys closing joined in on joyous “O-T” chants began by Tech supporters.

Tech’s seniors ended their highschool careers with two state titles and nil playoff losses. However though Tech graduates its complete backcourt, the beginning frontcourt of Logwood, Russell and Jhai Johnson all come again subsequent season, as do the identical excessive requirements and championship aspirations.

However earlier than the senior class exited the highlight and handed the torch over to the subsequent technology of Bulldogs, Somvichian had some closing parting phrases.

“They stated that we couldn’t win Division I,” the two-time state champion stated. “What are they gonna say now?”

Win the Open?

That’s the objective for subsequent season, Damage stated.

“To be put within the Open, you must crown us as one of many higher groups. I feel we should always begin saying that now.”