Basketball Earns No. 3 Seed, Chance to Host Playoff Game

News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis varsity basketball team was given a No. 3 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Girls Basketball Bracket announced Thursday. The Troubadours (23-4, 14-0 Delta) will host No. 14 seed Woodcreek on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at St. Francis at 7 p.m.

“I think we are positioned well,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We have the opportunity we were looking for and the most important thing on our agenda is Tuesday night against Woodcreek.”

The winner of the St. Francis-Woodcreek matchup will take on the winner between No. 6 Lincoln of Stockton and No. 11 Davis on Thursday, November 25 at the home of the highest remaining seed.

“The key is to not overlook any team,” said Lauren Craig, who led the team in scoring at 17.2 points per game. “We have to come together, play our game and keep our composure. Being undefeated in league has built our confidence and it is going to carry over to the playoffs.”

St. Francis finished the season by winning their final 10 consecutive games and posted a perfect 14-0 record in winning the Delta League title.

Woodcreek finished fourth in the Sierra Foothill League with a 13-14 overall record. Junior Hannah Austefjord led the team, scoring 9.3 points per game.

St. Mary’s (23-0), who is ranked No. 1 in the nation, was the overall No. 1 seed in the bracket, while Oak Ridge (25-1) was No. 2. St. Mary’s will play the winner of the out-bracket game between Edison and Armijo. Fourth-seeded Folsom (19-7) will play No. 13 Napa, while No. 5 Golden Valley will host No. 12 Franklin (EG).

“This is super exciting and something I am going remember,” said senior Aliyah Williams. “It is important that we are going to host. It was sad to think that senior night would have been my last home game. I am glad we have another one so I can savor it some more.”

Tickets to the playoff games at the home sites are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students. The semifinals will be held on Tuesday, March 1 at the University of Pacific and the finals are scheduled for Saturday, March 5 at Sleep Train Arena.