Caruthers wins second girls state basketball champion, knocks off Granada Hills Charter: Live update recap

Too much guard play from Emmi Almeida and Gizelle Aguirre lifts the Raiders to hard-earned win over Highlanders in California Division 3 girls basketball state championship game

SACRAMENTO — A pair of quick and athletic guards, Emmi Almeida and Gizelle Aguirre led the Caruthers Raiders to their second state championship in five years with a hard-earned 54-48 win over Granada Hills Charter Friday at Golden 1 Center. 

Almeida, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, had 21 points nine rebounds and six assists and Aguirre, a 5-6 senior added 14 points and seven rebounds. 

Karma Paez had 15 points, Gabriella Arellano 11 and Britia Bulotaite added 11 for Granada Hills Charter (21-12).

Caruthers (25-8) won its second tile, the first coming in 2019 in Division 5. 

Emmi Almeida leads Caruthers to Division 3 State title over Granada Hills Charter: 5 takeaways

PREGAME: 

The 2024 California (CIF) boys and girls high school basketball state championships have arrived. All 12 state championship games will be played at Golden 1 Center, the home of the Sacramento Kings.

The CIF State championship games continue Friday at 2 p.m. with the Division V boys basketball matchup between Granada Hills Charter and Caruthers. 

You can follow live updates of Granada Hills Charter vs. Caruthers on SBLive, including real-time score updates, game highlights and much more. You can also watch the game live on the NFHS Network.

• CIF STATE GIRLS SCOREBOARD | CIF STATE BOYS SCOREBOARD

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4TH QUARTER UPDATES: 

Caruthers 52, Granada Hills Charter 46 (final): The Blue Raiders from the Central Section win their second state title in five years. 

3RD QUARTER UPDATES: 

Caruthers 47, Granada Hills 34 (end of 3): Almeida is up to 16 points, Aguirre 13. Arrelano leads Granada Hills with 11. 

Caruthers 43, GHC 32 (2:53): GHC closed to 33-32, when Caruthers goes on 10-0 run, keyed by Emmi Almeida, who drills a 3, makes an old-fashion 3-point play and another midrange bucket. 

2ND QUARTER UPDATES: 

Caruthers 29, Granada Hills Charter 24 (halftime): Gizell Aguirre with 10 points and five rebounds for the Blue Raiders, who have made 13 of 27 shots, a very respectable 48% shooting. Emmi Almeida has five assists. Gabri Arellano and Karma Paez have combined for 15 points for Granada Hills which made a nice spurt at end of the half.  

1ST QUARTER UPDATES:

Caruthers 16, Granada Hills Charter 8: Five different Caruthers players have scored in impressive first quarter. 

Gizelle Aguirre (3), had 13 points through three quarters for Caruthers.  / Photo: Dennis Lee

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HOW TO WATCH CIF STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

Can't make it to a game but still want to watch your favorite team play live? You can watch the CIF State high school basketball championship games live on the NFHS Network:

WATCH LIVE ON NFHS NETWORK

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Photos: California (CIF) Division 3 state girls basketball championship