Woodland Christian multi-sport star Teagan Hayes showcases versatility to help Cardinals hold off Rosamond, capture first Division 5 girls basketball state crown

SACRAMENTO – Teagan Hayes might be better known among the 225 students around the Woodland Christian School campus as a college-bound catcher and outfielder for the softball program or a member of a golf lineup that captured a Golden Empire League title in the team’s inaugural year.

But against Rosamond in the Division 5 girls basketball state final Friday, Hayes was not only the most consistent contributor for the Cardinals, the senior was also the calming presence during clutch time at Golden 1 Center.

Hayes finished with a game-high 18 points, in addition to eight rebounds, six steals and three assists, also securing a 47-41 victory by making two free throws with 9.3 seconds remaining to help Woodland Christian capture its first state championship.

Post-game interviews

Keziah Maldonado-Lemus, who contributed 12 points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists for the Cardinals (31-6), increased the Woodland Christian advantage to 44-35 on a layup with 6:10 remaining.

But Rosamond (29-8), the two-time CIF-Central Section Division 5 champion, rallied behind Ariel Cain and Kiley Perez to score six consecutive points and pull as close as 44-41 with 1:33 left.

Cain recorded a steal on the ensuing defensive possession for the Roadrunners, but in her effort to advance the ball into the frontcourt for a potential tying 3-pointer, the junior was unaware that she stepped out of bounds along the sideline in front of the Rosamond bench with 52 seconds remaining.

Although Woodland Christian threw a pass out of bounds on its next offensive possession, Nadiyah Baladez came up short for Rosamond on her 3-point field goal attempt from the top of the key with 28 seconds left.

Elena Ganyo, a sophomore who had seven points and five rebounds, hit one free throw for the Cardinals with 23 seconds remaining to increase the advantage to 45-41, before Hayes – signed to play softball at Tennessee-Martin – accounted for the final margin with her two free throws down the stretch.

Siena Sorbello, the daughter of Cardinals head coach Shiloh Sorbello, contributed six points and a game-high 17 rebounds – including 11 on the offensive end – with fellow sophomore Bailee Broward adding four points and 12 rebounds, as Woodland Christian held a 50-28 rebounding edge against the Roadrunners.

Although the Cardinals shot 6 of 31 from behind the 3-point arc, Ganyo, Hayes and Maldonado-Lemus all hit a pair of 3-pointers for Woodland Christian, with Rosamond hitting just 4 of 21 3-point field goal attempts.

Cain had 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals for Rosamond, which set a record among girls basketball state finalists – regardless of division – by enduring a span of 35 years in between championship game appearances.

The Roadrunners suffered a 53-27 loss to Menlo School in the Division 5 state final in 1990 and with their return Friday, eclipsed the mark previously held by Pleasant Valley of Chico at 33 years (1985 to 2018).

Baladez had eight points, eight steals and six assists, with Perez contributing seven points, seven rebounds and four steals, along with Abigail Cardoza adding seven points and three rebounds for Rosamond, which had its 14-game winning streak halted.

Woodland Christian became the second Sac-Joaquin Section girls program to win the Division 5 state title in the past three years, along with Bret Harte in 2023.

Bret Harte produced a 45-42 victory Feb. 28 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 5 final against the Cardinals, who rebounded to win their final five games in the state playoffs, holding each opponent under 50 points.