Crean Lutheran players gathered for a picture after the 51-45 semifinal victory over Mira Costa Saturday. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs/ John Luciano)
Crean Lutheran’s girls basketball players have been pointing to Saturday morning’s CIF 3AA finals for a long time.
In fact, the players were talking about getting to the championship game last summer and on Saturday, the third-seeded Saints will get a chance to bring home the program’s first CIF title when they face top-seeded Santa Monica.
Tip-off is at 10 a.m. at Azusa Pacific University. Crean Lutheran earned a trip with a 51-45 victory over Mira Costa Saturday in the semifinals.
“They wanted to win a CIF championship and they wanted to win league,” said first year coach Bianca Ziemann. “We were one goal shy of league but this has been their goal since June. I really have to give it to them. Their goal was to make it and win it. That to me as a coach, is awesome, that you have a goal and now you reach it. I’m pretty excited.”
It will the second trip to the finals for the Crean Lutheran program. In 2017, the Saints lost to Heritage Christian in the 5AA championship game at Godinez.
It’s been a remarkable run already for Crean Lutheran (27-4). The Saints are led by sophomore guard Taylor Feldman and senior guard Shannon O’Malley. Feldman is averaging 21.1 points a game and O’Malley 10.7 points and 4.8 rebounds.
“Those two have been setting the stage, especially in CIF,” Ziemann said. “They’ve been doing their job and playing ther role and being the court leaders that we need and executing and finishing.”
Feldman, a fiery competitor, leads the way.
“When you score night in and night out, she’s never forgotten on our team,” Ziemann said. “She’s super competitive, which I love about her. I have to commend her, I know she will be ready to play. I just want her to go out and have fun and stay calm.”
Ziemann said she has been thrilled with O’Malley’s offense and her 3-point shooting, but her defense has also caught the eye of her coach.
“She’s done what she needs to do offensively but what I’m most proud of is that she has really taken ownership of her tenacious defense since league,” Ziemann said.
Senior center Hailee Daniel, who is averaging 8.1 points and 9.4 rebounds, has been another key player.
“She has an even tougher job because she’s our center,” Ziemann said. “In order for us to go (run the fast break), we have to get the rebounds. Her offensive put-backs and defensive stops are great but we really do rely on her, and that’s something that takes a great attitude and she has a great attitude.”
Senior Trinity Cha, despite missing 11 games, has also made big contributions, Ziemann said. She is averaging 6.7 points a game.
“Her defense is just great, we usually put her on the point guard,” Ziemann said. “She is just getting her confidence back because she had an ACL sprain.”
Sophomore Emily Reed, who is averaging 6.4 points, has been another key player. “She’s our starting four and she’s 5-5,” Ziemann said. “I have to give it to her, that girls is not scared of anything. She will give up her body, if need be, to get that charge. I’ve seen her take one for the team multiple times.”
Ziemann calls the Saints back-ups “our supporting cast.”
Freshman Maya Bland and junior Daelyn Johnson-Mooney are among the players in that group who have been outstanding, the coach said. “The season has been nothing but teamwork, on and off the court.”
That teamwork also includes the coaching staff, which includes Ziemann’s twin sister, Rachel and Chris Weinrich, who has helped during the CIF playoffs after being the head coach of the JV team.
“We’ve got a good coaching staff going into this game,” she said.
Ziemann said that Santa Monica (25-7) has some outstanding players who will be challenging to defend.
“As a whole looking at this team, I would say it’s going to be a very good match-up in terms of competitivness, heart and experience,” said Ziemann. “It will be interesting because I’m not sure how they’re going to defend our shooters with their big kids, because we’re not going to change our game plan or what we’ve been doing all year.
“But I would say there are going to be some mis-matches and it’s going to be fun to see what the coaching staff for Santa Monica does. Going into it, I think it’s going to boil down to defense. It’s going to be a defensive game. The team that boxes out will be the successful team no doubt because in order for us to get out in transition we’re going to have to make stops and box out the big kids.”
Ziemann said her players are excited and so is she and the early 10 a.m. start shouldn’t pose a problem. Azusa Pacific University will be a true neutral court for both teams.
“I think any time is a good time to play in a championship game,” she said.
Crean Lutheran fans have showed up in big numbers at home and on the road to support their teams.
“In my opinion, we have the greatest fans ever,” the coach said. “The 10 a.m. game, we’re excited and we’re happy to be there.”
Regardless of the outcome, the Saints are already assured in the state tournament that begins next week.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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