Brea Olinda wins Division I state girls’ basketball title

When in trouble, count on Brea Olinda to come through in girls’ basketball.

Southern California teams had lost the first four state title games to Northern California teams in boys’ and girls’ basketball Thursday at Sleep Train Arena. Then the Wildcats stepped onto the court and put an end to the misery.

Senior Reili Richardson scored 26 points and sophomore Tyiona Watkins added 22 to help Brea (29-4) defeat Sacramento St. Francis, 64-51, in the state Division I final. It was Brea’s 10th state title and fifth for Coach Jeff Sink.

“It doesn’t get old,” he said. “I get older”

Asked if the gym is getting too crowded with banners, Principal Jerry Halpin said, “We still got room.”

Brea opened a 31-12 halftime lead and never looked back.

Division III

There was no stopping 6-foot junior Ilmar’I Thomas of San Francisco Sacred Heart Cathedral in the state Division V final. She scored 30 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and contributed three blocks in a 50-47 win over Lake Elsinore Lakeside.

Lakeside (29-6) had led much of the game until Sacred Heart took control in the fourth quarter. A three-point play by Thomas with 4:32 left tied the score, 43-43. She made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left to put Sacred Heart (21-9) ahead by three points.

Emma Merriweather led Lakeside with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Triann Thompson added 12 points and Marissa Williams 11.

Division V

Opening a 13-point lead in the second quarter and an eight-point margin in the third, Sun Valley Village Christian looked in good shape against East Palo Alto Eastside College Prep.

But foul trouble to 6-foot-4 Mercy Odima proved decisive, and Village Christian was beaten, 57-50.

Odima, a junior transfer from Kenya, was magnificent. She scored 15 points and grabbed 19 rebounds. But her fourth foul with 6:17 left changed everything.

“It really took away the momentum for our team, because that was the game plan, to throw it down low,” Coach Jon Sampang said.

Village Christian (26-9) made it a long way after losing in the Southern Section Division 5AA final to Flintridge Prep. The Crusaders had only one senior on their roster. Leslie Aguilar scored 15 points and Micaela Cacho-Negrete added 12.

Eastside (20-11) received 16 points apiece from Alayah Bell and Zion Gabriel and 15 points from Kayla Tahaafe. Eastside went on an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter to break away.

Follow Eric Sondheimer on Twitter: @LATSondheimer