Moreno Valley Canyon Springs wins first state girls’ basketball title

SACRAMENTO — Coaches were handing out tiaras to the Division I state champion girls’ basketball team from Moreno Valley Canyon Springs on Friday night at Sleep Train Arena, but standout guard Cheyenne Greenhouse politely declined.

“It gets stuck in your hair,” she said.

Greenhouse didn’t need to wear a tiara to let people know she was the queen on the court. The San Diego State-bound senior scored 24 points and had eight rebounds in Canyon Springs’ 56-30 win over Elk Grove Pleasant Grove, giving the school its first state title.

“I was close to tearing up,” Coach Gail Hale said. “It’s been a long season, a blessed season. I knew these kids could do it.”

Canyon Springs (25-6) held a 21-15 halftime lead, then picked up the intensity in the second half after a halftime talk by Hale. Kimari Hollis contributed 12 points and Charnea Johnson-Chapman had 10.

“We do have to light them up at halftime,” Hale said. “This team can hang with anybody. I get a little upset at halftime from time to time. They always respond.”

Division III : Despite 30 points and 14 rebounds from 5-foot-7 sophomore Amber Melgoza, Santa Barbara was beaten by Modesto Christian, 64-55Melgoza went to the free-throw line 28 times, making 20.

The Dons (30-6) trailed, 37-35, late in the third quarter, then started losing the ball on turnovers and lost their aggressiveness. Modesto Christian (27-8) had four players in double figures, led by Lexi Tubbs and Meagan Warwick with 11 points apiece. Modesto Christian had a huge edge in rebounds, 64-37.

Melgoza’s 30 points tied the Division III state record for most in a game.

Division V: Marissa Hing scored 17 points to help Los Altos Hills Pinewood (30-3) defeat La Jolla Country Day, 60-42.