Pats take first step to repeat 1995

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: March 2, 2025

2024-25 EAST COUNTY GIRLS BASKETBALL
CIF-San Diego Section Championships

ECS staff report

CARLSBAD – Thirty years ago, Christian High celebrated its own version of “the shot heard ’round the world” when Stephanie Shadwell drained a half-court shot at the buzzer to claim the 1995 CIF Division 5 state championship at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena.

On Thursday (Feb. 27),did the Patriots move into position to gain another such title.

No one is looking that far ahead at this point. Instead, Christian is enjoying another San Diego Section Division 3 crown after easily stopping Escondido Charter, 46-26, in the finale held at Mater Dei Catholic.

After trailing early, a solid second-quarter effort gave Christian a 42-36 hslftime lead, pushing the advantage to seven early in the second half.

Escondido Charter fought back to within a point on four occasions, but the Patriots always answerd with a bucket. However. the White Tigers finally made a pair of defendive stops, taking a 64-61 lead early in the fourth period.

Christian then turned on its own defense. going on a 10-2 run to brag a 71-66 lead in the final minute.

Down by three, the Patriots scoring runsaw Maepon Johnson naila short jumper, Sierra Weckback scoring a pair of buckets from the paint to re-claim the lead,

The Whiote Toigers answered with a basket, but Womade hit a foul shot, then Jazmyn Bugg connected ona field goal but put away the victory with a 4-point lead.

Bugg finsihed with 15 points. Weckback added 13, but the leading scprer for the Parriots was Maepon Johnson with 22 points.

Johnson dropped in a trio of jumpers for 8 of her points in the first quarter to keep the ballclub close until the rest of the offense started to click.

Christian (24-4 overall), coached by Jermani Stewart, will learn their opponent in the first round of the CIF California state refional this weekend. The Patriots will probably gain a home game on Tueaday (Mar. 4), set for the Ryan Athletic Center.

Because of the strength of the San Diego Section in recent seasons, Escondido Charter (23-9) is also in the running for a regional berth. Should they advance, it will probably be a road contest.

Note: Sgadwell now works for the U.S. Olympic Committee in an administrative role. A feature on her is scheduled to be posted/published soon here on East County Sports.