No. 6 Etiwanda girls stun No. 10 Mitty with buzzer-beating putback in 2023 CIF Open Division championship

Jada Sanders, not Kennedy Smith, the hero in the final seconds of one of greatest girls basketball finals in California history

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Star junior Kennedy Smith was supposed to make the game-winning shot. She had done everything else for her Etiwanda team to put the Eagles in this position.  

Her seemingly game-winner from 15-feet out spun around the rim and around and around and finally out. Teammate Jada Sanders was there. 

The 5-foot-11 junior grabbed the rebound, swished in a deuce just before the buzzer, giving the Eagles, the No. 6 team in the nation, a remarkable and improbable 69-67 win over No. 10 Archbishop Mitty in the CIF Open Division girls championship at Golden 1 Center on Saturday night. 

Smith, a 6-1 junior, one of the top juniors in the country, finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and four blocks. 

Etiwanda celebrates its first state title. Photo: Ralph Thompson

But Sanders, with all of four points and one rebound in 12 minutes of play, was the hero. She was mobbed by teammates (see video above) at the conclusion of one of the best championship girls games in state-championship history. 

"I couldn't breathe," she said. "I'm on the ground and everyone is on top of me and then a camera is in my face and I thought. ... Really?"

On Smith's jumper she said: "I thought it was going to spin back in, but ended up coming out. I knew I had to rebound." 

Sanders said she's never made a game-winning buzzer beater in high school before. "I did in AAU," she said. "On a 3-pointer. But nothing like this." 

Mitty, spearheaded by great efforts from its elite players Morgan Cheli (24 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals) and freshman McKenna Woliczko (18 points, 10 rebounds), seemed to have the game in hand, up 64-57 with 2:30 remaining after a fastbreak layup by Woliczko on a beautiful feed from Cheli. 

Elena Weisman (44), Mitty against Kennedy Smith (11). Photo: Ralph Thompson. 

They had done everything legendary coach Sue Phillips had asked, especially rebound, holding a 44-31 edge against one of the most prolific rebounding teams in the nation. 

Worse for Etiwanda, two players had fouled out and two others had four fouls, including Smith. Coach Stan Delus had to go deep into his bench. 

The Eagles (32-3) had been in impossible, incredibly stressful spots before and pulled games out, including a 54-53 win over national No. 1 Sierra Canyon on Tuesday. This seemed insurmountable considering Mitty's lights out foul shooting (20 of 22), including 10 of 11 from Cheli. 

Etiwanda coach's Stan Delus' message: "We know how to fight back from adversity. Don't get rattled. You just gotta play. Go defend, get stops and attack." 

They did just that. 

Sanders made a driving laying Smith had a putback. Arynn Finley added a 3-point play. Just like that, the game was tied at 64 with 1:25 remaining. 

After both teams exchanged free throws, Cheli hit two more free throws to go up 67-65 with 58.5 seconds left. Morris matched that 17 seconds later to tie it at 67. 

On the ensuing inbound pass, the Monarchs threw it out of bounds with 40 seconds left. 

Etiwanda worked the ball around, Smith missed a shot, Mitty couldn't secure the rebound, a loose ball was tied up and the possession arrow went to Etiwanda with 19.4 seconds left. 

After a timeout, the Eagles got just the shot they planned. Smith was one-on-one, took a hard dribble right for a mid-range jumper. It looked like it would fall. 

"We executed just what we wanted," Smith said. "I was on my toes as the ball rolled around. I thought it was in. But Jada got the rebound. She got the basket. I'm so proud of her." 

Kennedy Smith kept the Eagles in the game through most of the game. Photo: Ralph Thompson / Photo by Ralph Thompson

Phillips was proud of her team. Like aways, she was composed and remarkably classy in defeat. The loss was the third straight in state Open play. It also ended a 21-game win streak, all of which weren't close. Nothing like this. The 21 wins were by an average margin of 37 points. 

Perhaps Etiwanda's experience in close games was the difference. 

"That's a tough pill to swallow," she said. "Gotta credit to Etiwanda for their resolve. They continued to persevere. We out-rebounded them, which was a goal.We were 20 of 22 from the free throw line which is fantastic. We out-rebounded a team that has dominated the boards in the playoffs.

"It came down to a one-possession game. I couldn't be prouder. They're a pleasure to coach. None of them should have their head down.

"Unfortunately it wasn't in the cards. it's really tough, especially not being able to get the ball back." 

What did she see on the final sequence: "I was elated. I was thinking it was going to go out, and it did, but they got it.

"Basketball is a funny game. I can live with losses but it was within our grasp."

All photos below by Ralph Thompson

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Photo: Ralph Thompson

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Photo by Ralph Thompson