Girls’ basketball: Keppel falls in Division II state title game

Taking a one-point lead early in the second half, Keppel looked poised to pull off the upset against Northern California powerhouse Archbishop Mitty.

However, the Monarchs responded like champions on the way to winning their sixth state title with a 53-31 victory in the Division II game Saturday afternoon at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley.

Sophia Song had 10 points and 10 rebounds and her runner in the lane gave the Aztecs (26-8) a 21-20 lead with 5:20 left in the third quarter, but the Monarchs (25-6) tightened their defense to hold Keppel to 10 points the rest of the way.

Kylie Fujioka had nine points, six rebounds and three blocks and Kelli Kamida scored all six of her points in the first half for Keppel, which made 11 of 44 field goal attempts and six of 17 foul shots.

Mitty led 17-11 at halftime despite missing all eight of its shots in the second quarter and turning the ball over 14 times. Heleyna Hill paced the Monarchs with 13 points and six rebounds, Lauren Mewes added 11 points and Madeline Holland had eight points and 13 rebounds.

Mitty was appearing in its 11th state final, Keppel its first.

-- Steve Galluzzo