SACRAMENTO — It was obvious Isabel Gomez wasn’t going to let the Sage Hill girls basketball team lose. It became more apparent in the second half when her team needed her most.
“I felt like I needed to kick my game into a higher gear when we were struggling,” Gomez said. “I decided to be more aggressive than I had been in the first half.”
After seeing her team trail by as many as 13 points, Gomez hit an NBA-range 3-pointer to beat the shot clock in the third quarter, and had an electric steal and layup in the open floor early in the fourth quarter that kept the Sage Hill within striking distance.
“I looked up and saw the shot clock winding down and just put it up,” Gomez said of her long-range 3.
Gomez steadied the ship, and Emily Eadie guided it home with back-to-back, go-ahead baskets in the final minute as the Lightning edged San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 Saturday afternoon in the CIF State Division II championship at the Golden 1 Center.
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill celebrates with teammates Zoie Lamkin #13, Emily Eadie #1 and Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isabel Gomez #24 of Sage Hill leaps into the arms of teammate Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill celebrates with teammate Zoie Lamkin #13 of Sage Hill after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill fights for the ball against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill fights for the rebound against Saiya Sidhu #13 of San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill shoots against Meadow Roland #32 of San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill fights for the ball against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isabel Gomez #24 of Sage Hill drives to the basket hainaut San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill fights for the rebound against Saiya Sidhu #13 of San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isabel Gomez #24 of Sage Hill shoots over Saiya Sidhu #13 of San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill fights for the loose ball against Saiya Sidhu #13 of San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Kerwin Walters of Sage Hill reacts against San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill bench looks on against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill fights for the rebound against Saiya Sidhu #13 of San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill shoots gamiest Asha Sra #22 of San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill bench reacts after a basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill fans react in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game between the Sage Hill and the San Joaquin Memorial at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill ben ch reacts after a basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the second half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Sage Hill won 51-47. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Kerwin Walters of Sage Hill talks to his team after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill celebrates with teammates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill celebrates with teammate Zoie Lamkin #13, Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kiana Hosseinzadeh #5 of Sage Hill celebrates with teammates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill celebrates after defeating San Joaquin Memorial 51-47 to win the CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill scrambles for the loose ball against Malaysia Williams #24 of San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill goes down court against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Eadie #1 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isabel Gomez #24 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against Saiya Sidhu #13 of San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Zoie Lamkin #13 of Sage Hill shoots against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill shoots against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill fights for the loose ball against Saiya Sidhu #13 of San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Zoie Lamkin #13 of Sage Hill shoots against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill controls the ball against Gabby Ramos #23 of San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sage Hill controls the ball against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer #11 of Sage Hill drives to the basket against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Annabelle Spotts #15 of Sage Hill goes down court against San Joaquin Memorial in the first half of a CIF State Division II girls basketball state championship game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kat Righeimer’s reverse layup tied the score at 42-42 with 3:08 to play before Eadie’s layup later gave Sage Hill a 46-45 lead, its first since being up 6-5 at the end of the first quarter.
San Joaquin Memorial (27-7) quickly stole the lead back, but Eadie delivered another basket with a slashing drive to her left with 28 seconds left. Gomez rebounded a San Joaquin Memorial miss on the ensuing possession and after a couple of free throws, the celebration for the program’s first-ever state title began.
“Everyone has dreams of hitting that game-winning shot or that defensive stop,” Righeimer said. “I feel like everyone here today had a key moment.”
Emily Eadie’s bucket gives Sage Hill the lead! Then they get a stop and rebound. The foul is ruled intentional. Free throws for Isabel Gomez.
Gomez finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Eadie tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds. Righeimer and Annabelle Spotts added 11 and eight points, respectively. Zoie Lamkin was the only other scorer with five points, highlighted by a fourth quarter 3-pointer.
“It was an exciting game, to say the least,” Sage Hill coach Kerwin Walters. “We have a no-quit attitude. We’ve been in there, we’ve been in these tight games. We’ve won games with buzzer beaters the last couple weeks. The girls deserve this in a big way.”
Sage Hill (27-10) led for a total of one minute and nine seconds. The last 28 seconds were all that mattered.
The Lightning shot just 32% from the field, but the defense held San Joaquin Memorial to just 30% shooting, and held 6-foot-2 freshman center Alexis Swillis to just six points. Meadow Rowland was the only San Joaquin Memorial player to score in double figures (10).
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The victory meant even more for Eadie, Righeimer, Lamkin and Spotts, all sophomores who were part of Kobe Bryant’s Mambas youth basketball team at the time when Bryant and eight others died in a 2020 helicopter crash.
“What we’ve been through is always going to stay with us,” Righeimer said. “But being here with these people here today, being together, has been great.”
