By Emma Kavcioglu, Arlene Sanchez, & Nicole Kalosh

The Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Varsity Girls Basketball team (21-12) competed in the women’s basketball D3 championship on Friday, March 8 against Caruthers High School (25-8). The team traveled to Sacramento where they had the honor of playing on the Sacramento Kings court in Golden One Center.

This remarkable achievement marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time since 2001 that an LA City Section team has made it to the state championship. This was also the GHC Girls Basketball team’s first appearance in a state championship.

The school celebrated the team with a lunchtime sendoff on March 7 after they were treated to lunch from Stonefire Grill in Highlander Hall. Marching Band and Color Guard performed as the team walked to the bus. The cheerleaders as well as students with signs cheered them on their way. Representatives from many different groups on campus came out to support the team.

During the game, the Caruthers Raiders were up 6-0 within the first two minutes. GHC called a time-out then to ease the nerves. Although GHC outscored Caruthers in two quarters, the tense game ended with a close score of 48-54. It was a hard-earned win for Caruthers, however, as the Highlanders gave it their all on the court.

Senior Karma Paez, one of the season’s top scorers, led the Highlanders with 15 points during the game. Senior Gabriella Arellano scored 11 points with six rebounds, and senior Brigita Bulotaite added another 11 points, also with six rebounds.

The Highlanders should be proud of their record-breaking achievements and excellent sportsmanship throughout the season. They showed incredible determination, even in the face of adversity.

After the team lost in the first round of the open division, for example, they had a two-week layoff. Those two weeks were a time for the team to focus on their individual skill work, and to strengthen the bond needed to make it to the state final game.

“I feel like those two weeks were a big recharge for the team,” assistant coach Nick Kindel said. “Since our team is senior-heavy, it made the seniors realize it was the last run that they had. They took practice most seriously and were more focused, and they had the ‘we are not going to lose’ mindset.”

The first round of the state championship was against Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary, from Montebello, California. GHC won its first game 69-52. Senior Clare Lee came off the bench and led the team to victory by scoring 15 points. The team then traveled to Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo to play Morro Bay High School. The Highlanders won that game 48-45.

The GHC girls had their last home game of the season against Cathedral Catholic School from San Diego, California, which they won 54-51. Junior Katherine Artiga scored 8 points in the fourth quarter, which clinched the victory for the Highlanders. Bulotaite averaged 20 points a game throughout during the run to the state championship.

Then, on March 5, the team competed in the CIF Division 3 Southern California Regional Championship in Bakersfield where they played against Bakersfield Christian High School. GHC won the game 58-56, earning them their ticket to the CIF State Championship.

“I feel really accomplished because our team made it that far to head to State, and we won the CIF Southern California Regionals for Division 3,” junior Katherine Artiga said. “That was already a big step. Even though we came home with a loss, each player did what they had to do.”