Prep girls’ basketball: Antelope advances to NorCal semifinals behind Carter’s big night
Thursday night was a full-circle moment for Sean Chambers.
The Antelope High School girls’ basketball coach started his administrative career at McClatchy, a school he has kept tabs on as the Lions have long been known for academic and athletic success. In the second round of the Northern California Division Il playoffs, Chambers played his old school.
With the help of star junior Mary Carter, Antelope extended its season. Carter had 30 points and 10 rebounds in the Titans’ 60-58 win over the Lions to advance to Saturday night’s semifinals. Antelope also received key contributions from Samaya Dillard, who had 13 points. Michelle Rice added seven and Ivy Babcock had five.
Chambers coaches a handful of McClatchy players on his AAU team, which made for a surreal and bittersweet moment when the game ended.
“This was one of the best games I’ve been a part of at Antelope High School,” Chambers said. “The tough part is the girls on the other side (at McClatchy) play on my AAU program. I have so much love for them.”
Chambers added, “I love each and every one of those girls on that team. We’re going to see each other in two weeks (at AAU) practice. It really is bittersweet. McClatchy is a young and special team. It was a tough situation to play without their coach. You want to win, but you have compassion for that team.”
Despite being the No. 10 seed and playing the No. 2 seed McClatchy, Antelope hosted because the CIF punished McClatchy with a ban of home games for the NorCal playoffs. The punishment stems from an incident last week when McClatchy fans stormed the court while the game clock was winding down in a section playoff game against Lincoln of Stockton.
The homecourt advantage paid off. Antelope’s side of the bleachers was packed with fans.
“It was a big factor,” Carter said of playing at home. “McClatchy has a huge crowd every time we go. It helps when we have our own fans cheering for us. You have all your friends here and people you know. It definitely helps.”
Chambers added on playing at home, “When I got into girls’ basketball at Highlands High School, I wanted to make sure the girls got the same credibility and the same kind of atmosphere as the boys did. This right here is what I envisioned as girls basketball. Tonight was one of the craziest and intense games I’ve been a part of, even (including) the section championship games.”
Fourteen of Carter’s 30 points came in the fourth quarter. She started playing when she was 5-years-old and grew up growing to basketball practices of teams her dad coached. Thursday night was her moment and was something she won’t forget.
“This is definitely a highlight of my basketball career,” Carter said. “I started playing as long as I can remember. My dad (Andy) used to coach at Whitney and I would go to practices with him and hang out with him. I would always be in the gym and that sparked a love for the game for me…(This win) is so amazing. I can’t even explain how awesome it is. I have played in big games (in AAU) and I know that kind of atmosphere but when you’re playing with your high school, it’s really awesome.”
She started her prep career at Rocklin before transferring to Antelope for her junior season. Carter had to sit out the first 30 days due to section transfer rules. Antelope is 22-3 since she started playing.
“It was a rough first month because I’ve always played basketball my whole life,” Carter said. “Not being able to play in games was tough. … It’s exciting (now to be the closer of the group) because I have control. When I’m in control it helps calm me and everyone else around me down.”
And the Titans’ season still has legs. Antelope (25-6) is in the NorCal semifinals for the second time in school history and will face Menlo School on Saturday. The last time Antelope made it to this point was 2019.
Chambers believes this group is different and could keep going.
“This is the first time we are built for this moment,” Chambers said. “After you win the section championship, it’s such an emotional drop. … This year, our girls are still hungry. We are still excited to come to practice. Even for me, I’m ready to go to practice tomorrow. It hasn’t been a long season yet.”
McClatchy finished 20-7. The Lions were without head coach Jeff Ota due to illness. Former McClatchy head coach Jessica Kunisaki filled in. The loss also marks the end of Saray White’s four-year varsity career. She had a team-high 19 points.