SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior guard Tia Hay scored 15 points as No. 3 seed St. Francis advanced with a 81-39 win over No. 14 Woodcreek Tuesday night in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. St. Francis (24-4) advances to face Lincoln of Stockton in a home game on Thursday.

“It was a collective effort,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We had contributions from everyone who went in there. It is really rewarding when you talk about being a team and they did that tonight. The energy from the crowd was fantastic and much appreciated for a first-round playoff game.”

Hay had 15 points in her first action since December. She sat out the last 23 games while undergoing a lengthy transfer review.

“It feels really good to be out there with my team and be back on the court and get a run around,” said Hay. “I know I was nervous in the first quarter. Everyone was a bit nervous. We played much harder in the second half and we pushed the ball.”

She was one of four players in double figures for the Troubadours. Senior Lauren Craig led the team with 19 points and 10 boards. Janae Fairbrook had 14 points and five assists, while senior Kyra Huffman added 10 points and five rebounds.

St. Francis jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first quarter Hay and Fiarbrook scored four points each. Huffman added three baskets in the second as SF extended the lead. Hay had seven points in the period highlighted by a three-pointer to a 39-17 lead.

 “It has been such a long haul to get her back on the floor,” said Pitton about Hay. “Finally we have her back. She was a little rusty game-wise. She got through it and played her game. She is definitely a fantastic player.”

All 13 healthy players saw action in the game with eight scoring at least one basket. Senior Aliyah Williams scored eight points and Julia Razo added seven.

“We have to not get in our own way and pick up what the other team is doing defensively,” said Angie Ortiz. “If we can just play our basketball, we will be a tough team to play.”

St. Francis had a large crowd Tuesday night aided by the St. Francis swimming team that canceled practice to attend the game.

“You could really feel the energy,” said Ortiz. “It was really fun and you can see that because our whole team contributed.”

SF – Craig 19, Hay 15, Fairbrook 14, Huffman 10, Williams 8, Razo 7, Koerwitz 6, Austin 2. W – Palmer 14, Gockley 6, Batenhorst 6, Dekker 5, Milani 3, Butler 3, Franklin 2.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
DIVISION I
First round/Tuesday
St. Mary’s 102, Edison 25
Modesto Christian 67, Pleasant Grove 57
Golden Valley 68, Franklin-EG 52
Folsom 66, Napa 48
St. Francis 81, Woodcreek 39
Lincoln-S 52, Davis Sr. 43
McClatchy 71, Cosumnes Oaks 33
Oak Ridge 63, Enochs 43
Quarterfinals/Thursday
#8 Modesto Christian at #1 St. Mary’s
#5 Golden Valley at #4 Folsom
#6 Lincoln-S at #3 St. Francis
#7 McClatchy at #2 Oak Ridge