GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL: Muir falls to Magnolia 40-39

By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer
LOS ANGLES - With a trip to the state championship game in Sacramento on the line, Saturday's CIF State Southern California Division III regional final between Muir and Magnolia came down to who executed and came up with the big basket when it mattered the most.
The Mustangs, playing from behind for much of the contest, the battled valiantly but couldn't get over the proverbial hump in a 40-39 loss at the Sports Arena.
"We had our opportunities, but we just didn't get it done," Muir coach Gary Johnson said.
Sentinels guard Jhakia McDonald and post player Pernilla Hanson had a lot to do with it by hitting key baskets.
McDonald was the only Magnolia player in double figures with 19 points, but Hanson came up with what could be called the game's biggest basket when she sank a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Sentinels (27-6) a 40-36 lead.
"I don't think she took a shot all night and she made the shot, so she came through for them," Johnson said.
Brittany Henderson made one of two free throws and Chrishawn Frierson followed with a lay-up off a steal to set up what was looking like a possible Mustangs comeback.
Muir (28-3) then appeared to force a turnover with a tie-up on a loose ball, but the Mustangs were called for a foul.
Cherrish Wallace then drove the lane but was called for traveling with two seconds left to all but end the Mustangs' dream of a state title.
"Being a senior, it's very hard because that was my last high school game," said Wallace, who was 2-for-10 for four points to go along with six assists. "I'm proud of my teammates for making it this far, but I felt I let my team down."
Mental lapses and overall cold shooting led to the Mustangs' demise.
Muir shot just 36.6 percent (15-for-41) from the field, including only 4-for-16 (25 percent) from 3-point range.
The Mustangs also turned the ball over 22 times compared to Magnolia's 15.
"They're a good team, but they play just like us, so it was kind of hard to defend," Wallace said. "They knocked down big shots when it was needed, and we made mental mistakes in the end which cost us."
The Sentinels also did something not too many teams had been successful at - breaking the Mustangs' vaunted press.
"They love to press and trap," Magnolia coach Michael Anderson said. "After the first three or four minutes, they really got out of one of the things they do because we're almost impossible to press or trap."
Eliza Pierre led Muir with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Henderson added 10 points and seven boards.
Magnolia made the most of its trips to the free-throw line by hitting 6-of-8 attempts. The Mustangs struggled at the line in going 11-for-21.