UPDATE: In a thrilling finish at the 12th annual Aptos High/Santa Cruz Warriors NorCal Invitational, Santa Cruz High’s girls basketball team pulled off an incredible upset against Los Altos, winning 45-44 with a last-second basket from junior guard/forward Mila Conn.
The decisive moment unfolded with only five seconds remaining in the game. After Ella McFarlane of Los Altos hit a corner 3-pointer to give her team a 44-43 lead, Conn answered back, receiving a give-and-go pass from Nadia Delgadillo. Conn drove the length of the court and nailed a pull-up jumper just as the clock ticked down, clinching the victory for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals, now 7-4, secured a crucial win that guarantees them a .500 record in preseason play, a key factor for qualifying for the Central Coast Section playoffs. “It was a big win for us,” stated Cardinals coach Todd Trowbridge. “We faced a similar situation last week and missed the last shot, so being able to finish this game the way we did feels great.”
Despite trailing 20-13 at halftime, Santa Cruz surged in the third quarter, outscoring Los Altos 20-9. Conn finished the game with 17 points and seven rebounds, while senior forward Karolina Espinosa contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
Los Altos, now 7-2, was led by McFarlane, who scored 22 points alongside eight rebounds and five steals. Freshman guard Taylor Ware added 12 points, but the Eagles fell just short in their final attempt as time expired.
The Cardinals are set to face Half Moon Bay (6-2) in the semifinals on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. Fans are eager to see if Santa Cruz can carry this momentum forward in the tournament.
This thrilling game marks a significant moment in the early season, showcasing the resilience and talent of the Santa Cruz team. The stakes remain high as they advance in the tournament, and the basketball community is buzzing about this stunning upset. Stay tuned for further updates as the tournament progresses.
