In the last minute of the game, both coaches emptied their benches so as many players as possible could play in the state championship.  A classy show… it’s a cliché at this point, but it’s such an amazing accomplishment just to get to the big game.

When the sideline reporter was talking to Kelli after the win, he mentioned that she was the first player in state history to win four state championships.  Buggs leaned into the shot and squealed.  Or maybe whooped.  For a coach that loses his voice during every game, it’s kind of hard to tell.  

Congrats to all of the Poly players and coaches, especially to coach Buggs and Kelli Thompson, who were there for each of these historic wins.  

Monique Oliver just got up off the court after falling down kinda hard on her knee.  She was down for a while, but walked to the sideline unassisted.  And Niveen Rasheed just fouled out, ending her high school career.  What a great player… I’m interested to see her final numbers.  She gets well-deserved applause from the stadium.  51-32 Poly

Poly’s just a half quarter away from making history.  I’ve got a wary eye on Monte Vista chipping away at the lead with their foul shooting.  Not worried yet, especially with Niveen Rasheed one foul away from spending the rest of the night on the bench, but I’d rather they just put this one away.  49-32 Poly

I’m not going to get cocky, but it looks like Poly’s gotten their groove back.  When they look good, they just look so good.  They’ve completely dominated this half (a 27-8 run).  And, after two back to back Poly steals, coach Hirschman just called a full timeout, and Buggs just cracked his first smile of the night.  46-25 Poly

The commentators just described this as a “coaching chess match” and I have to agree.  Watching Rasheed pop in and out of the game is kind of hypnotic.  But Poly’s pushed the lead to double digits now, and I think the coach has got to start using her more if they want to take this back.  Which, obviously, I hope they don’t.  38-25 Poly

During the commercial break, Prime Ticket showed a clip of Snoop Dogg singing the Poly football song he wrote for their website.  It’s gonna be stuck in my head for at least a day now… “Green and gold together, lose to ya’ll never…” 29-24 Poly

Monique Oliver got her second basket of the game.  Rasheed is backing off (or sitting down) when her team’s on defense, so hopefully this gives Monique a bit more room to play.  Poly’s got the size advantage in the paint, so while making those outside shots is obviously important, I’m hoping the ‘Rabbits take care of business near the basket as well.

Also: if you’re watching from home, look for Mike sitting on the court with the photog pool, wearing his SF 49ers jacket.  26-20 Poly

Just checked over with the LBSU men’s volleyball team, televised on BYU-TV, which I was shocked to discover we get.  The 49ers lost the first set 18-30, but have a slight lead in the second.  Let’s go Long Beach!

The Prime Ticket commentators just pointed out that Poly is playing to Monte Vista’s tempo, and it hasn’t been going well for them.  This has been a problem all season.  It’s been a really low-scoring first half, and that’s more the style of a team whose offense relies on one player than a team as deep as Poly.  The Jackrabbits are lucky they’ve been getting so many chances at the line (they’re 7 of 11 to the Mustangs’ 5 of 6), and that both teams are missing a lot of their shots, because the score doesn’t look as one-sided as this game feels.

But.. after all the careful substitutions by the Mustangs’ coach Hirschman, Rasheed just got her third foul with seconds left before the break.  So it it could be that the second half will be a completely different game.  19-17 Poly

Seriously.  I don’t mean to dwell, but Niveen Rasheed just got her 10th point, and coach just burned a time out to rotate her out. Poly needs to get capitalize on these opportunities and take the game over.

Also: live game blogging is hard.  15-14 Poly

Rasheed just picked up her second personal foul, and she just sat down on the sideline, breathing hard.  Tied at 10-10

Rasheed’s got six of the Mustangs’ eight points.  Poly needs to start making some of their shots, because it looks like if they can tire Rasheed out, Monte Vista’s offense will be scrambling. 8-6 M.V.

I know it’s early still, but that Poly’s only points have come from free throws is already worrying me.  The Jackrabbits have been going for (and missing) some awkward three-point shots, and if I’ve learned anything about this team over this past season, it’s that that’s not a good sign.  Mike just texted me: “Whuoh…”

Mike said in his scouting report that it’ll be easy to spot Niveen Rasheed because she’ll be the Lady Mustang with the ball.  That’s been pretty true so far, and it looks like she’s getting tired already. 6-2 M.V.