Miramonte Triumphs Over Benicia to Claim NCS Championship

Miramonte High School secured its first Northern Coast Section (NCS) Division III championship in nine years by defeating the No. 2-seeded Benicia Panthers 57-47 on March 15, 2024. The victory, witnessed at Alhambra High School, marked a significant milestone for the Matadors, who last claimed a section title in 2017 during the era of former standout player Sabrina Ionescu.

The Matadors, seeded fourth, took the lead in the second half after trailing at halftime. Coach Ace Wright energized the crowd as her team established an 11-point advantage with just 34 seconds remaining in the game. “It means everything,” Wright said. “We kind of went on a slump for a while. This is my first year here, so to be able to get in there and change some things around, and we got the win.”

As the Matadors prepare for the CIF NorCal regional, they will learn their next opponent when brackets are released on Sunday. Wright’s emphasis on strong defensive tactics proved crucial in their victory over Benicia. The Matadors effectively frustrated their opponents, forcing turnovers and difficult shots throughout the match.

Benicia, led by sophomore captain Ella Lum, initially held the advantage, showcasing impressive ball movement. Lum scored five of her total 13 points in the first quarter, helping the Panthers to a 15-10 lead. However, Miramonte tightened its defense in response, holding Benicia scoreless for four minutes in the second quarter. By halftime, the Panthers maintained a narrow 25-24 lead.

Benicia’s coach, Corey Ott, reflected on his team’s performance, stating, “I think in the beginning, we were moving the ball pretty good… In that third quarter, we kind of settled for easier shots.” This shift in strategy proved costly for the Panthers as they struggled to maintain their early momentum.

The third quarter was pivotal for Miramonte as they launched a decisive 20-4 run, capitalizing on six turnovers committed by Benicia. By the end of the quarter, the Matadors had built a commanding 44-29 lead and never looked back. Wright acknowledged the shift in intensity, saying, “We knew that there was going to come up and come out and change some things. So we just had to be more aggressive and get the win.”

With this championship victory, Miramonte looks to build on their success as they advance to the next stage of competition, fueled by a newfound momentum and confidence. The players and coaching staff are eager to see how far their hard work will take them in the upcoming matches.