JOHN R. McCUTCHEN / Union-Tribune
West Hills junior Sherika Miller missed eight of her first 10 shots in last night's basketball final against Mount Miguel. "I wasn't on tonight," Miller said. Until it counted most.
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GIRLS DIVISION II
West Hills junior Sherika Miller missed eight of her first 10 shots in last night's basketball final against Mount Miguel.
“I wasn't on tonight,” Miller said.
Until it counted most. The 5-foot-11 Miller took a pass from point guard Marilyn Naderhoff and bolted down the left baseline for a driving layup with 1.3 seconds remaining to give the Wolf Pack a 46-44 victory and the section Division II title.
“That play wasn't designed to go to me,” Miller said. “I didn't know how much time was left. So I just shot it.
“I've never made a bigger shot than that. It's the kind of stuff you only dream about.”
Miller's clutch connection made West Hills (27-5) section champions in girls basketball for the first time.
Mount Miguel (24-6), which was playing catch-up most of the game, tied it 44-44 when Dechae Evans scored on an assist from Danesia Williamson with 17.5 seconds left.
Naderhoff took charge from there, cautiously bringing the ball up the court.
“I was going to drive and hope to get a foul call,” Naderhoff said. “After I got trapped, I saw Sherika out of the corner of my eye. So I just gave it to her.”
Even though coach Ryan Kinser didn't draw up the game-winning play the way it unfolded, he said it was typical of the night.
“It was an ugly game and that's what they make you play,” Kinser said. “We weren't able to run our offense very well. They take you out of your game and that's what makes them so good.”
Naderhoff finished with five points and six assists. Miller scored eight points.
“Sherika struggled all day long but came up huge at the end,” Kinser said.
Mount Miguel coach Robbie Sandoval was fuming after realizing his Matadors were 2-for-19 shooting three-pointers.
“We were totally out of character,” Sandoval said.
