By Sam Stack, Staff Writer
The Women’s Basketball team walked onto the court knowing they had to beat Number 11 seed Encinal to advance in North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs, but also to qualify for CIF state playoffs. Encinal upset the six seed, Sonoma Valley in the first round while the Lady Dons thrashed San Rafael by 44 points to advance.
Encinal came out quick in the first quarter with a few quick shots to take the lead early but the Lady Dons shooting kept it close. The Lady Dons however, kept it close and headed into the second quarter after a buzzer beater three pointer from sophomore guard Brooke Panfili.
After the Panfili three the Lady Dons never looked back. Starting out the second quarter the Lady Dons began to shoot lights out after multiple three pointers by various players. The Lady Dons rode the momentum and head into the half with a double digit lead.
Encinal came would not go down without a fight and came out in the second half with a quick run cutting the lead to six twice. But the Lady Dons held off the run after three quick buckets off fast breaks.
The Lady Dons continued their stellar play in the fourth quarter by holding off the Jets with unselfish basketball. During the whole fourth quarter the Lady Dons managed not to miss a free throw which led to their 78-61 victory.
With the win the Lady Dons qualified for CIF state playoffs for the first time since 1996 and will also face off against the two seed Bishop O’Dowd at Laney College on March 4th in the NCS semifinals.