Mira Costa and Mitty need more time to settle Division II final

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Going to overtime here at the Division II girls’ state final between Mira Costa and San Jose Mitty.

Mira Costa cut the deficit to 40-39 on a three-point basket by Mikah Maly-Karros, but on Mitty’s next possession, freshman point guard Kylie Nakamine was whistled for her fifth foul after she contested a three-point attempt by Classye James with 2:19 remaining.

James sank two of three free throws to put the Monarchs back up by three points with 3:50 remaining. Maly-Karros scored her ninth point of the quarter at the free-throw line to cut the lead to two, but then fouled out on the other end while contesting a shot by Ashley Watson. Watson made one of two from the line, as did Watson about a minute later, giving the Monarchs a four-point lead.

Megan Richardson then assumed the scoring duties for Mira Costa, nailing a three-pointer with a minute left to bring the Mustangs within one and then hitting one of two free throws with 24.8 seconds remaining to tie the score. Mitty missed a couple chances on the other end, and I thought the referees were going to blow their whistles for sure, but helping Mitty come back in state title games must only be a third-quarter mandate.

Mitty also lost a key player to five fouls, point guard Hannah Stephens, so I’ll swallow my whistle for a while.

-- Dan Arritt