HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL / STATE GIRLS’ DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP : Peninsula Defeats Monta Vista

Before the girls’ State Division I championship game Saturday night, Coach Wendell Yoshida of Peninsula High of Rolling Hills Estates promised a victory for the Panthers.

For one half, his word appeared in trouble, but Peninsula shook off a stubborn Cupertino Monta Vista team during the second half to win, 63-44, at the Arco Arena in Sacramento.

Even though the final score was not close, Peninsula had problems pulling away from Monta Vista. The Panthers, who defeated opponents during the season by an average of 35 points, trailed at halftime by a point but rallied during the third quarter to take control.

Sophomore guard Mimi McKinney led the Panthers with 27 points--17 during the second half--and nine rebounds; center Jeffra Gausepohl added 13. However, for Yoshida, it was a nervous first half.

“We were a little flat, but Monta Vista was a good team and probably having me guarantee a state title for us got them even more fired up,” Yoshida said.

“In the second half, it was just a matter of us doing the things that we did all year. The players just made up their minds to get things going.”

Peninsula, which has been rated the No. 1 team in the nation by USA Today for the last three months, finished the season with a 34-0 record and a state title in its first year of existence. Peninsula was formed when Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Miraleste highs were consolidated last year. For many of the Peninsula players, it was their second consecutive state title because they played for Palos Verdes, which won the Division III championship last year.

Peninsula outscored Monta Vista, 21-9, during the third quarter and the Matadors never recovered.

Said Monta Vista Coach Virgil Pate: “We got tired a little bit in the third quarter and they just buried us on the boards and McKinney’s penetration off the dribbled killed us.”

Guard Kristin Clark led Monta Vista with 19 points.