Mt. San Antonio claims record eighth title, 75-54 over Siskiyous

Tourney Central

LIVERMORE, Calif. - Maddeline Dopplick had 30 points to lead Mt. San Antonio to a record eighth California Community College Athletic Association women's basketball championship, 75-54, over College of the Siskiyous on Sunday afternoon at Las Positas College. 

The Mounties repeated as champions in their sixth straight finals appearance. "Back-to-back, that's a wonderful thing," said coach Brian Crichlow, who also coached Mt. SAC to the 2012 and 2013 titles.

South Coast Conference North champ Mt. SAC ended the state-leading 29-game win streak for the Golden Valley Conference champion Golden Eagles (31-2), who had reached the finals for the first time. 

Siskiyous led early but, after four lead changes, could not stay up with the taller and deeper Mounties -- who eventually stretched the margin to much as 23 points near the end. Allyah George's jump shot put Mt. SAC ahead for good at 7-6 halfway through the first period.

Dopplick led the Mounties to a 41-28 halftime lead with 16 points before the intermission. The 30 points was a career-high college output by the Sacramento State transfer – who has signed with Seattle. "It's the championship game," she said. "That will motivate you. And my teammates stepped up, too."

Mt. SAC had a 52-33 rebounding advantage, led by 6-foot-3 all-tourney Kali Jones with 14. She also scored eight points and had two blocks. Aliyah Dickson had 14 points. Floor leader Caira Benton, who led the Mounties in their semifinal win over Ventura with 14 points and 10 rebounds, was the tournament MVP. She had eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and three points in the finale. 

State scoring leader Melissa Dailey (26.2) had 15 first-half points for the Golden Eagles. She finished with 24 points, just off her pace-setting 26-point average, and had four 3-point baskets.  

Identical twins Melissa and Megan Dailey made the all-tournament team. They both had put up identical 24-point totals in their semifinal win over Palomar. Hannah Thompson of COS, the state's No. 2 scorer (24.9) had 14 points and was 3 of 6 on 3-pointers. 

All-tournament team:
Katie Campbell, Ventura
Ari Hernandez, Palomar
Megan Dailey, Siskiyious
Melissa Dailey, Siskiyous
Kali Jones, Mt. San Antonio
Madeline Dopplick, Mt. San Antonio
Caira Benton, Mt. San Antonio, MVP