STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : DIVISION III GIRLS : A Record Fourth in a Row for Brea

Behind the play of senior point guard Nicole Erickson, Brea-Olinda won a record fourth-consecutive CIF State championship Saturday at Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Brea-Olinda, making a record sixth consecutive appearance in a State title game, defeated San Jose Archbishop Mitty, 54-44, in the Division III final.

The victory gave the Ladycats their fifth championship overall, breaking the record of four titles, which they shared with Point Loma.

Erickson, who will attend Purdue, scored 16 points and broke Mitty’s pressure defense. Afterward, Erickson tried to convey her emotion at having won four consecutive titles.

“This is our last game together, so it’s hard,” Erickson said and then burst into tears. “This is the end of a piece of our lives that we’ll never have back again.”

Brea-Olinda might not continue its dominating ways because three key starters have finished their eligibility--Erickson, 6-foot-2 center Colleen Hudson and forward Sarah Beckley.

But what a way to end an era.

During a postgame news conference, it was announced that USA Today’s No. 1-ranked team, Ohio Pinkerington (27-1), lost in the final of the Ohio State Division I championship, 59-54, to Garfield Heights Trinity (25-2).

Second-ranked Brea-Olinda probably will take over the top spot in the final ranking.

“This season is just a dream, it’s an absolute dream” said first year-coach John Hattrup, noting that former coach Mark Trakh, now the Pepperdine women’s coach, deserves much of the credit for the victory.

“He built the house, I’m just renting,” Hattrup said.

But Hattrup did a good job keeping the house standing.

With the victory, the Ladycats improved to 33-0 and extended their winning streak to 54 games.

But in the final, the Ladycats did not find their rhythm offensively until the second quarter. Sparked by four points each from Erickson, Hudson and Beckley, they outscored Mitty, 12-6, over the first 4:15 of the quarter to take a 23-18 lead.

Mitty cut its deficit to two with 1:49 to play in the half, but that was as close as it got.

Kerri Walsh had a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds for Mitty (30-3).