Point Guard Sarah Heyn (12) led the offense for the Wolverines, managing to keep the score close for a majority of the game. However, despite strong defensive pressure, girls basketball lost the CIF Open Division championship game to Francis Parker, 66-50, Feb. 28. The team kept the game within reach up until the fourth quarter, costing them the first place title.
Shooter Makena McLaughlin (12) said the players knew they were facing a really tough opponent in California’s 12th-ranked Francis Parker. Although the Wolverines were going up against a high-ranked school, Heyn described how the game managed to ease the team’s nerves.
“We were kind of just out there just to play and just to prove ourselves to show that we’re a good team,” Heyn said.
However, despite the team’s nerves, the Wolverines managed to gain an early lead against Francis Parker. Already in the lead, Francis Parker had let their guard down. Noticing this, the Wolverines managed to score a quick two-point shot, putting Westview up by seven points in the first couple minutes of the game, causing Francis Parker to call a timeout.
“We came out super strong, and took a lead on them,” McLaughlin said. “We won the tip off, and Sarah Heyn hit a three-pointer on the first play of the game, then coming down, [Mia Jacobson (12)] got a block stopping them from scoring.”
Prior to the championship round, the Wolverines competed against Grossmont, securing their spot to CIF finals within the last few minutes of the game, Feb. 25.
Days in advance before the game commenced, the Wolverines examined video recordings of Grossmont’s play style in order to predict their moves and find ways to dominate the court. Due to this, Wolverines knew far in advance of Grossmont’s unorthodox play style.
“They don’t play, they just go off of each other.” Heyn said. “It was so down to the wire the whole time, we were going back and forth. So it was definitely really stressful.”
After scoring multiple free-throw shots and one two-point shot in the last few minutes, the Wolverines became victorious and ended the game with a score of 56-53. According to Heyn, the Wolverines were ecstatic about making it to the championship round.
“It was exciting to see how the fans reacted and ran onto the court once the game ended, which made the win even better.” Heyn said. “We were really proud that we were going to the Open Division finals for the first time in program history.”
Heyn said that the Wolverines’ performance in the first half of the championship game made the round feel even more surreal.
“I think our first half was just the best basketball we have ever played all season,” Heyn said. “The five that were on the court were constantly talking, rotating, and finding the open man.”
In the third quarter, the Wolverines still appeared in control of the game. However, Heyn said that things began to go downhill, ending quarter three with a score of 35-28.
“We were playing well, and then unfortunately, I fouled out in the fourth quarter,” Heyn said. “I think I play a big role in my team, so when I’m not there, it’s really hard for them to just have things flow, have the offense and defense stay really strong. We ended up losing by 16 in the last two minutes, just because they went on a run, and there was really no momentum to stop them.”
Despite the loss, McLaughlin described how proud she was of her team, and how making it this far in CIF’s was amazing in itself.
“Even though it wasn’t our prettiest game, we still managed to work hard and finish the game strong. As a team, I think we were so excited and happy mainly because it has been so long since we have gone to the Open Division Championship. Knowing that we accomplished [winning] together as a team meant so much more.”
After many competitions in the CIF Open Division Bracket, Heyn said that the team had found great success by the championship round.
“We fought our hardest.” Heyn said. “The outcome wasn’t what we wanted, but we were all still happy to have been there! It was a good experience and a fun environment to play in and we played well as a group till the end.”
According to McLaughlin, the Wolverines really wanted to make a name for themselves in CIFS, no matter the outcome.
“Especially being an underdog coming into the bracket, we wanted to prove a point that we were one of the best teams in San Diego, no matter what the rankings said.” McLaughlin said. “Just knowing that we made it to the championship, that feeling of the buzzer going off and celebrating all together, it meant everything.”
