Champs at last: Folsom girls win first section crown, top storied St. Mary’s in Division I
For the better part of 25 years, the St. Mary’s Rams didn’t just devour local competition. They stomped on it, like a boot to a bug, often without breaking much of a sweat.
They rolled up a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section-record 21 girls basketball championships, including eight in succession through 2020.
Then it stalled a bit in Stockton. The gap closed. Folsom last season defeated St. Mary’s in the playoffs, the first area team to do so since 2007, and then the Bulldogs downed the Rams in a tight nonleague game in December, shedding any measure of nerves against the juggernaut.
On Saturday night at Golden 1 Center, Folsom did it again, only this time it really mattered. With balanced scoring, defense and poise down the stretch, the top-seeded Bulldogs beat No. 2 St. Mary’s 58-53 to capture their first section championship, doing so in the Division I ranks.
It’s just the second title game appearance for Folsom after a crushing one-point loss to rival Oak Ridge last season, and the Bulldogs continued to grow and come together during this history-making campaign. All of this from a program that went just 1-29 in Delta River League play in coach Lynn Wolking’s first seasons from 2010-2013. That’s all ancient history now.
St. Mary’s made Folsom sweat for this one, firing up three late 3-pointers in an attempt to tie it at 56, but they all missed, and Dixie McClanahan iced it with two free throws with 1.2 seconds left. Wolking attempted to join in on the team celebration on the floor, but he lost his ability to jump or sing years ago.
“I don’t know what I was trying to do,” he said later with a laugh. “The game is a little bit of a blur now. We held on for dear life.”
Eight players scored for Folsom, testament to the team’s remarkable depth. The Bulldogs boast a lineup of skilled players who enjoy playing man-on-man defense, sharing the ball and shooting. The Bulldogs moved to 26-2 with their 18th consecutive victory and head into next week’s CIF Northern California Open Division — the best of the best — with a chance to make more history. A Sacramento-area team has not won the prestigious Open.
McClanahan and Sophia Mindermann both scored 12 points and Kamryn Mafua had 10 for Folsom. Ella Uriarte had seven points and eight rebounds, and Jada Tupou had eight points and five rebounds. Folsom’s leading scorers — Mafua and senior forward Charlotte Climenhage — didn’t have to carry the load because depth is the team’s strength.
“We can rely on teammates and we play true team basketball; we play unselfishly,” Climenhage said.
“You never know who’s going to lead us in scoring,” Wolking said. “We’re so deep and talented.”
A free spirit beloved by his players, Wolking was emotional in explaining the magnitude of beating St. Mary’s three times in succession, choking up as he said, “It means so much for this program. We’ve been going at it and going at it and we finally reached it, finally won it.”
For years, teams were intimidated by St. Mary’s and its pressure defense, 5-star recruits and legacy. Folsom wasn’t awed. Playing a state-ranked schedule helped.
“Before the game, they were singing and dancing like they always do,” Wolking said of his team. “I love these girls. I’m excited about what we’ve done. Our goal all season was to be the best we can be, and they’ve done a great job of that so far.”
St. Mary’s (23-9) was led by its latest star talent in guard Jordan Lee. She had 21 points, and Nyal Lowery had 11 for coach Alle Moreno, the former Rams and Sacramento State standout. St. Mary’s will also advance to the NorCal playoffs.
This story was originally published February 26, 2023 at 5:00 AM.