Caruthers wins second straight California (CIF) girls high school basketball championship

Blue Raiders use 18-2 run in the second quarter to go wire-to-wire for Central Section power, which claims its third state title overall

Caruthers players celebrate winning the California (CIF) State Division 2 championship at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

SACRAMENTO — Caruthers High School, from a small farming community in Fresno County, is turning into a California girls basketball power.

From a town of 2,500 residents, without a traffic light, the school of 700 students won its second straight California (CIF) state title and third since 2019 with a 56-37 over Rancho Bernardo for the Division 2 championship Saturday at Golden 1 Center, home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

For a second straight year, Emmi Almeida carried the Blue Raiders (26-6) with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as her team went on an 18-2 run in the second quarter to take absolute command. Caruthers became the first Central Section basketball teams, boys or girls, to win back-to-back state crowns.

Celeste Mack and Izabel Mendez added eight points apiece for the Blue Raiders, who dedicated the victory to late coach Larry Triguero, who passed away unexpectedly last month.

"He means a lot to us," said Almeida, whose mom Anna is the head coach of the team. "He's the reason we're so tight and why we're a family. He always pushed us to the limit."

Emmi Almeida of Caruthers takes a foul shot during the California (CIF) State Division 2 championship game at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

Said Anna Almeida: "He would be the happiest (today). He was the best hype man we ever had. He loved bringing the energy and and boosting all the girls' confidence. We're celebrating (Triguero) with bunch of fists in the air."

"We're the living bond of LT. We are now the spirit of LT while he's in heaven."

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Lindsay Biddle had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Keira Tokushige added 11 points for Rancho Bernardo (26-8).

Caruthers is the defending D3 state champion. Of the team's six losses, five came against teams that were ranked in the state Top 25: Acalanes (68-45), Bishop O'Dowd (55-41), Ventura (42-34), McClatchy (64-49) and Clovis (68-64).

Jaylee Moore of Caruthers scores on a layup during the California (CIF) State Division 2 title game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

The Blue Raiders closed the season with a resounding victory shooting nearly 50% from the field (22 of 48).

What does it mean to win a second straight title and three in five seasons, the first in D5, then D3 and now D2.

"It makes all the blood, sweat and tears we've put in it is worth it," coach Almeida said. "I think we've represented the Central Valley the right way."

Caruthers players and coaches pose following their victory in the California (CIF) State Division 2 title game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

Caruthers girls basketball 56, Rancho Bernardo 37 box state D2 title game / Box score: CIF State