GIRLS’ DIVISION II : Brea-Olinda Edges Fair Oaks Bella Vista

There is no substitute for experience.

Nicole Erickson, a junior guard, made a 14-foot shot with three seconds remaining to give Brea-Olinda a 42-41 victory over Fair Oaks Bella Vista in the Division II girls’ state championship Friday at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

It was Brea-Olinda’s fifth consecutive appearance in the state final and its fourth state title.

The only other team to make five appearances in the final is Sacramento Grant. The only other team to win four state championships is San Diego Pt. Loma.

Bella Vista led for most of the game, but in the end, it was beaten because of composure.

“We were a little nervous, but we have been in this situation before and we know if we just keep at it, it will come,” Erickson said.

Erickson led the Ladycats with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Bella Vista broke out of a 5-5 tie at the end of the first quarter and took a 20-14 lead at half-time.

Trailing by 26-19, Brea-Olinda (32-2) went on a 17-10 run in the final six minutes of the third quarter and opening 1 1/2 minutes of the fourth to tie the score, 36-36.

With Bella Vista trailing by 40-39, Allison Barrett made a 14-foot shot for the Broncos with 13 seconds remaining before Erickson made the winning basket.

With two seconds remaining, Sharee Coad inbounded the ball for Bella Vista with a long pass to Barrett, who made a field goal shortly after the buzzer.

“I knew that the buzzer went first, as much as you would like to think otherwise,” said Jorie Baer, Bella Vista coach.

Amy Smith, a 6-foot-3 senior center, led Bella Vista (29-5) with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Megan Kuzmich, a senior guard, also had 11 points for the Broncos.

Colleen Hudson, a 6-1 junior center, had to guard Smith, who averaged 22 points before Friday’s game.

“I think that was the key to the game, holding (Smith) to 11 points,” Erickson said.