High School Roundup: Sage Hill girls’ basketball rallies to clinch playoff berth

The Sage Hill School girls’ basketball team erased a 12-point deficit in the second half in defeating visiting St. Margaret’s 49-45 on Thursday in the San Joaquin League finale.

Nadia Akbari and Emily Elliott had 13 points each to lead the Lightning (14-7, 4-4 in league), who clinched third place and a spot in the CIF Southern Section Division 3A playoffs.

Jacqueline McNeill made a baseline jumper with 45 seconds remaining to give Sage Hill a 47-45 lead late. Isabel Gomez added 11 points for the Lightning.

“This right there shows that we can play in close games,” said Lightning coach Kerwin Walters, whose team will learn Sunday who it will start the playoffs with next week. “We can come out with a win in a close game. Hopefully, that grows confidence with our girls, and I’m excited about what the playoffs will bring for us.”

BOYS’ SOCCER

Estancia 3, Costa Mesa 1: Brian Alvarez, Marcos Arreola and Chapin Camberos scored for the visiting Eagles in the Battle for the Bell on Thursday.

Estancia (13-6-4, 6-2-2) finished third in the Orange Coast League.

Costa Mesa dropped to 6-12-2 overall and 3-7 in the league. The Mustangs finished the season in fifth place.

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