Lauren Harris reaches 500 career 3-pointers, lifts Faith Christian to first Northern California Regional Division 6 girls basketball crown with 58-53 win over Cornerstone Christian

There are milestones and there are memories, and Faith Christian junior standout Lauren Harris had the opportunity to appreciate both moments Tuesday night in the Northern California Regional Division 6 championship game against visiting Cornerstone Christian.

Harris became only the 13th girls basketball player in U.S. prep history to make at least 500 3-point field goals – according to MaxPreps.com – adding to her California all-time records for 3-pointers in a season and career, but the second-seeded Lions also needed all of her game-high 33 points to hold off No. 5 Cornerstone Christian in a 58-53 victory that secured the first regional title in program history.

Faith Christian (29-2) concluded its season with 21 consecutive victories, preventing Cornerstone Christian (21-11) from capturing a second Division 6 regional crown in three years, along with a 58-45 win against Weed in 2023.

The Lions also became the first Sac-Joaquin Section program to win the Division 6 regional title since the postseason schedule expanded to include an additional Northern California playoff bracket in 2015.

Harris, who eclipsed state records for 3-pointers in a season and career Saturday with nine 3-point field goals and 44 points in a 78-59 regional semifinal victory against No. 3 Weed, sank a free throw with 13.2 seconds remaining Tuesday to punctuate the championship for the Lions in their regional finals debut.

Harris hit eight 3-pointers against Cornerstone Christian, including seven in the first three quarters, to finish her season with 191 and elevate her career total to 500 in 91 contests – according to Cal-Hi Sports – with another season of high school eligibility still remaining.

Mandy Fitzgerald, left, along with Ambor Smith, center, and Lauren Harris of Faith Christian girls basketball team | Photo courtesy of Faith Christian

None of the 11 student-athletes on the roster for Faith Christian – with a school enrollment of 50 – are seniors, giving the Lions an opportunity to challenge for Sac-Joaquin and regional championships again next season. 

Harris hit four 3-point field goals and had 15 points in the first half Tuesday, but Cornerstone Christian was still tied 25-25 with the Lions at the break.

Faith Christian scored 10 unanswered points to open the third quarter and remained in control the rest of the way.

The Lions maintained a 54-44 advantage midway through the fourth quarter, before Cornerstone Christian used one final surge during the next two minutes to put pressure on Faith Christian.

A pair of free throws by Cornerstone Christian freshman Kenenna Amajioyi cut the deficit to 57-53 with 1:57 remaining, but the Cougars were held scoreless down the stretch by a Faith Christian defense led by junior forward Presley Berry, who had 15 points and seven blocked shots.

Mia Bryan, a sophomore, contributed four points and three steals, with junior Hannah Hessong also scoring four points for the Lions, who earned a measure of revenge for a 64-60 regional semifinal loss in 2023 at Cornerstone Christian, with Mecca Alexander scoring 45 points for the host Cougars.