High school girls basketball: Tabiona knocks off defending champion Rich to claim 1A state title

After reaching the 1A championship game in each of the last four years, Tabiona finally ended its season with a state championship Saturday, the program’s first since 2007.

Joy Gines led the Tigers with 13 points, which included knocking down 8 of 9 free throw attempts. Isabella Gines added 11 points and Maecie Hagman finished with eight points and 11 rebounds as the Tigers defeated Rich 45-41.

“The girls were very resilient tonight even though we got down a couple different times,” Tabiona coach Jake Fabriozio said. “I told the girls to not give up and that the ball was going to bounce our way eventually.”

Photo Gallery: 1 of 19

1 of 19

Photo Gallery: 2 of 19

2 of 19

Photo Gallery: 3 of 19

3 of 19

Photo Gallery: 4 of 19

4 of 19

Photo Gallery: 5 of 19

5 of 19

Photo Gallery: 6 of 19

6 of 19

Photo Gallery: 7 of 19

7 of 19

Photo Gallery: 8 of 19

8 of 19

Photo Gallery: 9 of 19

9 of 19

Photo Gallery: 10 of 19

10 of 19

Photo Gallery: 11 of 19

11 of 19

Photo Gallery: 12 of 19

12 of 19

Photo Gallery: 13 of 19

13 of 19

Photo Gallery: 14 of 19

14 of 19

Photo Gallery: 15 of 19

15 of 19

Photo Gallery: 16 of 19

16 of 19

Photo Gallery: 17 of 19

17 of 19

Photo Gallery: 18 of 19

18 of 19

Photo Gallery: 19 of 19

19 of 19

Gines was terrific at the free-throw line but hit just 2 of 6 shots from the field. That said, her only 3-point make of the night was a huge one, coming with 64 seconds remaining as the Tigers took a 43-40 lead.

All season long the push has been to produce a season to remember, and Gines said those sentiments echoed strongly when the team spent some time Saturday morning in its home gym.

“This feels great,” Gines said. “We were in the gym today and I saw all of those second place trophies and I knew I didn’t want to get second place again.”

For Hagman the win and the state championship was especially satisfying after she missed the state tournament last season while recovering from ACL surgery.

“I missed the second half of last season and it cut deep,” Hagman said. “I felt like I missed an emotional bond with my team, but I have that emotional connection back and this feels amazing.”

As expected, the game was tight throughout. Tabiona led 9-5 after the first period and took a 19-17 lead into the halftime break.

While Joy Gines was being blanketed by Rich’s Laci McKinnon, it was everyone else who stepped up for the Tigers.

Andree Fabrizio finished the game with nine points, and seven Tabiona players scored.

“Joy accepted her role and we knew they were going to put a lot of pressure on her,” coach Fabrizio said. “We had other girls step up and did some things and I think that took a lot of pressure off of everyone.”

As the third quarter wore on, the taller and more physical Rich started to take some control. Molly Weston’s 3-pointer tied the game at 23-23, and Madi White hit a late third quarter basket as the Rebels entered the final period with a 29-27 advantage.

Rich’s Paige Smith and Braylyn Pugmire then opened the final quarter with back-to-back baskets as the Rebels built a 33-27 lead.

After Tabiona’s Taliya Allred hit a free throw, the Rebels took their biggest lead of the game at 35-28 lead on a McKinnon layup, but like they did in Friday’s semifinal win over Wayne, the Tigers refused to stop battling.

Joy Gines eventually tied it at 40-40 with a driving layup, and moments later she knocked down a 23-foot 3-pointer that put Tabiona over the top.

“When it came to crunch time we knew we wanted Joy to have a good shot,” Fabrizio said.

McKinnon led Rich with 12 points and seven rebounds. Weston also scored 12 points on three 3-pointers, while Smith finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.