Girls’ basketball: Mesa Grande wins 6AA title

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Rachel Tohm grabbed an offensive rebound, was fouled, and made both free throws with 4.3 seconds left to clinch Mesa Grande Academy’s 48-44 victory over Rio Hondo Prep in the Southern Section Division 6AA championship game at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Jennifer Dupper led the way with 16 points for the top-seeded Cardinals (26-2), who outscored Rio Hondo Prep 13-3 in the third quarter to take a two-point lead into the final eight minutes. Tohm finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds and Michaela Garcia added 11 points, four steals and two assists for Mesa Grande Academy.

Kayley Martin had 15 points and six rebounds for the second-seeded Kares (21-7), Charley Parker had nine points and six rebounds and Hannah Martin added eight points and 15 rebounds, including a pair of free throws that pulled Rio Hondo Prep to within 46-44 with 8.3 seconds left.

Mesa Grande Academy prevailed despite shooting just 15 of 58 (25.9%) from the field and getting out-rebounded 50-40. Rio Hondo Prep was only four of 25 on three-point attempts, with Martin making three of them, and committed 17 turnovers.

-- Steve Galluzzo