SACRAMENTO — Clutching a folded white towel to wipe sweat, coach Stan Delus of Etiwanda takes it personally whenever his girls’ basketball team gives up a basket. He’s constantly exhorting players during timeouts to dig deep and play tough defense. He’s like a master teacher determined to get players to listen and learn.
It’s almost magical what his program has accomplished. On Saturday night, Etiwanda won a record third consecutive Open Division state championship with 75-59 win over San José Archbishop Mitty at Golden 1 Center.
The Eagles won the Southern Section Open Division championship in 2022 with a 29-1 record, then came the state titles.
“It’s the most amazing four-year run for a public school,” Delus said.
Etiwanda led 37-31 at halftime and extended its margin to 20 points in the third quarter. Arynn Finley, a junior guard, was magnificent all night. She scored 21 points and made eight of nine shots.
“That’s pretty good,” Finley said of her shooting prowess.
Etiwanda was efficient and effective on offense, making 31 of 52 shots (60%). Point guard Aliyahna Morris had 12 points and seven assists. Shaena Brew and Chasity Rice added 13 points each. Grace Knox had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Eagles also held Mitty (27-4) to 30% shooting. Ze’Ni Petterson finished with 17 points for Mitty.
Delus yells, “Up, up, up” so many times during games, trying to get his players to increase their defensive pressure, that Morris says, “I dream about it” while sleeping.
The Eagles (28-5) started the season losing three of five games, with some thinking Etiwanda’s hold on No. 1 was over. Delus felt otherwise. The losses were a way to teach lessons and convince players they needed improvement. And improve they did.
They were beaten by Ontario Christian in the Southern Section Open Division final but came back to beat the Knights 67-62 in the regional final. Then Saturday night, they defeated Mitty for the third straight year with a performance so dominant that Delus was smiling at times in the second half.
“We trusted the process,” Morris said. “We had to grow as a team.”
Said Delus: “We kept saying, ‘Keep believing in ourselves.’”
