Not again: Archbishop Mitty girls lose fourth consecutive Open Division state final
SACRAMENTO — Sometimes, the little engine that could runs out of gas.
Or it just runs into a bigger engine. That’s what happened to Archbishop Mitty girls basketball in the CIF Open Division girls basketball championship game on Saturday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Monarchs, playing without superstar forward McKenna Woliczko, lost 75-59 to powerhouse Etiwanda of Rancho Cucamonga. Mitty’s Cinderella magic without Woliczko, which had carried them back to their fourth consecutive state title game, wore off against a healthier, superior Eagles team.
It marked the Monarchs’ four straight loss in the state championship matchup, and though Mitty was without Woliczko, that didn’t make it much easier to absorb.
Ze’Ni Patterson scored a team-high 17 points for Mitty, and Maliya Hunter and Emma Cook each scored 10. Arynn Finley scored 21 points for Etiwanda, and Shaena Brew and Chastity Rice each scored scored 13. Cal commit Puff Morris scored 12 for Etiwanda, and LSU commit Grace Knox scored 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Though Woliczko is expected to return fully healthy for her senior year next season, this Monarchs group met the end of the line without its full arsenal. It was Etiwanda’s third consecutive state championship win over Mitty.
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