Torrance, CA (March 5, 2017): The Bishop Montgomery girls' and boys' basketball programs made more school history this weekend when they captured CIF titles in their respective divisions.
On Friday night at Azusa Pacific University, the girls' beat Huntington Beach 41-38 in dramatic fashion to win the CIF-SS Division 1A title. It was the 8th CIF title for the girls' program and their 3rd title in the last four years.
The girls' overcame a late deficit and some cold shooting to beat Huntington Beach before a large contingent of BMHS students, family, and friends. Senior Jessica Malazarte '17 hit two late three-pointers and junior Sophia Carroll '18 sank two free throws with seconds remaining to clinch the win for the Lady Knights (21-9). For Malazarte, it was her third title in her four years at BMHS.
Also significant in the win was the history made by BMHS head coach Noelle Quinn '03. In just her first year as head coach, Quinn became only the second person in school history to win CIF titles as both a player and a coach. Quinn, a BMHS athletic hall of fame inductee, won three CIF titles (and four state titles) as a player at BMHS. The first person to achieve this accomplishment was Kit Schwartzman '86, who won soccer titles as a player and coach.
On Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, the boys' basketball team (27-2) beat Mater Dei 70-55 to win the CIF-SS Open Division title. It was the program's 7th CIF title and the 6th for head coach Doug Mitchell. The Open Division is widely regarded as the toughest division in the nation. The Knights entered the game ranked first in the state and seventh in the nation.
Like the girls' game the night before, the boys' overcame a late deficit to win the title. The Knights used a fourth quarter 20-4 run to put the game away. The win was punctuated by a 360-degree dunk by senior Ethan Thompson '17, who was named player of the game. He finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Both the girls' and the boys' now move on to the state playoffs. Dates and opponents TBA.
For a complete recap of the girls' game, click here.
For a complete recap of the boys; game, click here.
Video, photos, and more can be found by following BMHS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat @BMHSKnights