Etiwanda wins third straight California (CIF) high school girls basketball championship; Edges Mitty

Eagles use balance, speed and five girls in double figures to win their third-straight Open Division title, all over the Monarchs

Etiwanda coach Stan Delus holds up the trophy following his team's victory in the California (CIF) State Open Division championship game. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

SACRAMENTO — The more things change and improve in girls basketball, the more Etiwanda and coach Stan Delus continue to win championships.

The Eagles (28-5), somewhat of an afterthrought early in the season after losing four games by the middle of December, won their third consecutive California (CIF) Open Division title with another epic state championship performance with a 75-59 victory Saturday over Archbishop Mitty at Golden 1 Center, home of NBA's Sacramento Kings.

Aliyahna Morris of Etiwanda dribbles during California (CIF) State Open Division championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

It was the third straight title win over Mitty (27-4) , which lost two-time national Player of the Year McKenna Woliczko on Jan. 4 with a season-ending knee injury. Many didn't think the Monarchs, then undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation, could regroup to make another state title run.

To the credit of the Monarchs and Hall of Fame coach Sue Phillips, they made their fifth fourth straight state Open appearance. But much like last season, Etiwanda just had too much, in this case too many savvy guards, led by 5-foot-9 junior Arlynn Finley (21 points), 5-6 Cal-bound senior Puff Morris (12 points), a McDonald's All-American, and 5-5 sophomore Chasity Rice (13 points), a transfer who wasn't eligible until January.

Grace Knox, a 6-3 post and McDonald's All-American, had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Shaena Brew, a 5-6 senior, added 13 points.

"Through the early struggles the plan was always to get better and better," Delus said. "To physically and spiritually ultimately commit and to finish it off with a performance like tonight is a testament to every one of these young women."

Despite losing state Player of the Year Kennedy Smith to graduation (she's now at USC), the Eagles won their third straight title in dominating fashion.

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Delus, known for his mad scientest-esque game, and season-plans, saw this team peaking early in the season even with four losses.

The Eagles (28-5) lost in the Southern Section finals to Ontario Christian, then the No. 1 team in the nation, but then avenged the defeat in the Southern California Regional finals, 67-62 on Tuesday.

"I'm very proud of our team," said Morris, one of seven seniors on the team. "When we were 4-4, that's something none of us had experienced. We didn't put our heads down. We just worked hard every day to get better. And we did."

Grace Knox of Etiwanda is defended by two Archbishop Mitty players during California (CIF) State Open Division title game at Golden 1 Center. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

Mitty, led by a young and more athletic bunch, featuring 6-2 freshman Maliya Hunter, 5-9 sophomore shooting guard Ze'Ni Patterson and 5-10 Devin Cosgriff, got back to their fourth straight state Open title game, with speedy, tenacity and shooting.

Arynn Finley of Etiwanda finished with game-high 21 points in the California (CIF) State Open Division title game at the Golden 1 Center. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

On Saturday, they got 17 points from Patterson, 11 from Abigail James, and 10 each by Emma Cook and Hunter. But a big 20-8 run to start the second half put the Eagles in complete command.

Mitty, with the most appearances in state finals history, fell to 6-10 in championship games while Etiwanda improved to 3-0.

"We knew (Etiwanda) was just a two-horse (Morris and Knox) pony," Phillps said. "They are a complete team so I'm not surprised how formidable they were. Finley carried them a lot of the way.

"Understanding the amount of youth we had on the floor and reflecting on these girls, what a joy it was to be around them. But yes, I'm bitter at the outcome. I'm annoyed that we lost."

Said Delus: "It's been an extreme joy coaching thise girls. None of it was easy. But they kept grinding. They finished something that didn't look good early. I so appreciate that."

Etiwanda players and coaches pose following their victory in California (CIF) State Open Division championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. / Photo by Ralph Thompson

Etiwanda Mitty box / PDF CIF