Simply magnificent! Imperial Tigers advance to regional final
Trailing by five points twice in the second half, Imperial shows grit and determination in knocking off Trinity
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - The fairytale season continues for the Imperial Tigers girls basketball team. On Tuesday night the Lady Tigers won their first ever state playoff game at home against Heritage. They followed that with a win on Thursday in Santa Barbara against San Marcos. On Saturday night, they knocked off the defending Division V champion in the Knights of Trinity Classical Academy.
"When we down down at halftime by five points, we told the girls, hey, let's just go and play our game," Tiger head coach Rich Ponchione said. "Let's relax, they have all the pressure on them. They are the number two seed, they are at home, let's play our game, be tough and just stop them, let's go get this and they did."
Imperial set the tone early when junior Sierra Morris scored the game's first points. The Tigers led 12-10 after the first quarter but trailed 20-15 at the half. The Tigers turned up the defensive pressure in the second half, outscoring the Knights 12-7, capped off by Georgia Gomez's deep jumper to tie the game at the end of the third quarter.
"That's just the tenacity with this team," Pochione said. "They're just hungry. They got a taste of the playoffs and they just wanted more. They don't want this to end."
Tied at 27 to start the fourth quarter, Sierra Morris made a tough basket in the paint and also drew a foul. She completed the three point play giving Imperial a 30-27. They would never trail again.
The Tiger's clung to a 30-29 lead with under 1:00 to play in regulation. With :12 seconds remaining, Tiger freshman Nayeli Cardona was fouled and sent to the free throw line. The freshman made both free throws. Trinity answer by making two of their own after an Imperial foul.
With :02 seconds left, Morris was fouled and made one of two free throws setting up a desperation shot by Trinity that was off the mark. Imperial rallied for another upset , 33-31 and sending the Tiger's the the CIF Division IV Southern Region Final for the first time in program history.
"It doesn't matter who we're going to play, we're going to show up," Ponchione said. "It's going to be a dog fight, we're just going to battle, or cat fight I should say."
The Tigers will face top seed Yucca Valley on Tuesday March 8th, in the CIF Division IV Southern Regional Final. Imperial is one of four teams remaining.
