HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL FINALS : Division II Girls : Fallbrook Falls Short and San Pasqual Wins Championship, 45-40

The Fallbrook High School girls’ basketball team had made a habit of coming back this season. And nobody knew that better than senior Julie Doria, San Pasqual’s play-making guard.

“I was getting a little nervous,” Doria said. “They were known for coming back. They came back against Helix (in the semifinals).”

Fallbrook scored 13 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to rally from a 42-25 deficit and pull within 4 points. But it wasn’t enough this time.

San Pasqual made 3 of 4 free throws in a span of 17 seconds and held on for a 45-40 victory in the Division II championship final at the Sports Arena Friday afternoon.

“Too far down,” said Gerry Port, Fallbrook coach. “We got to the free-throw line a little too late. I don’t know how many times we can (come back).”

This time, Fallbrook came up short.

Both teams started sluggishly and were tied, 7-7, after the first quarter. But San Pasqual found its offensive groove in the second quarter and outscored Fallbrook, 15-2, and led at halftime, 26-13.

San Pasqual, leading, 38-25, going into the fourth quarter, took a 42-25 lead--its biggest of the game--on baskets by Jennifer Gannon and Doria.

Fallbrook, attempting to live up to its reputation, scored 13 points to trail, 42-38, with 1:52 remaining. Forward Sheri Duffy scored eight of the points, including two three-pointers.

Doria made the front end of a one-and-one with 1:47 left and Cari Young hit both ends of her one-and-one to give San Pasqual a 45-38 lead with 1:30 remaining.

The victory was San Pasqual’s third straight over a 3-A team in the playoffs and gave the Eagles (26-2) the section championship they were denied last season when they lost to La Jolla in the 2-A final.

Doria, who plans to attend the University of San Diego next season, was 8 of 14 from the floor and finished with a game-high 17 points. Doria was all over the court and had seven steals and five rebounds, all on defense. Duffy finished with 14 points to lead third-seeded Fallbrook (17-9).

Young was a key for San Pasqual, getting 13 rebounds and scoring 10 points, and guard Nicole Rothey added 10 points.