The562’s middle school sports coverage is sponsored by the Long Beach Century Club
The Washington Wolves and Lindbergh Eagles faced off in an overtime thriller for the girls’ basketball Division 2 All-City championship. Led by Chrystelle Ortega Martinez and Elssie Gonzalez-Garcia, the Wolves pulled off an overtime thriller, winning 40-37 to claim the crown.
“We all worked as a team together,” said Gonzalez-Garcia. “I just told everybody to calm down and not lose their heads. We just worked it out with each other.”
Lindbergh was led by seventh grader A’lani McFashion, who was stellar on both sides of the ball as the Eagles’ leading scorer and best defender.
The Wolves were motivated by a one-point loss to Lindbergh earlier this year as well as a championship loss to them last season.
“We really wanted to come back from it,” said Martinez.
Out of the gate, the Wolves’ guards of Ortega Martinez and Gonzalez-Garcia showed off their chemistry, getting paint touches at will along with points in transition. The two-ball handlers navigated the early success of Washington as the Wolves carved out a 14-7 lead to end the first quarter.
Lindbergh’s success in this game was defined by grit and vigor; McFashion was the sparkplug to the Eagles’ strong efforts on the defensive end. Her steals and deflections allowed her and her teammates to shine where they worked the best: the open court. Jamiva Lincoln had some key plays in this first half, making good passes and holding herself well defensively against the gifted Washington roster. The second quarter came to a close with the Wolves still leading 18-12.
With a few seconds left in the third, Ortega Martinez brought the ball up the court while being guarded closely. She made her way through the Eagles’ full-court press, banking in a one-legged heave at the buzzer from nearly halfcourt, bringing her Wolverines back up six, 34-28
Nerves ran rampant at the start of the 4th quarter as both teams struggled to manage the ball. It was Lindbergh who was able to capitalize on these moments the most, as Washington’s offensive pursuits kept coming up short. The Eagles hit a few clutch buckets down the stretch, bringing themselves within one. McFashion wouldn’t hide from the spotlight in the clutch as she continued her defensive reign with a pivotal block, while also making an impact on the other end of the court. She put down a tough and-one to bring her team up by 2 with 2:00 remaining. Some clinical free throws by Washington’s Gonzalez-Garcia tied the game up 36-36 with 1:45 left. Both teams remained scoreless for the next few possessions, sending the game into overtime.
Washington’s Princess Jones hit free throws and grabbed important rebounds in overtime, and Washington led 38-37 with 1:30 left.
When it mattered the absolute most, Ortega Martinez came through. She knifed her way through Lindbergh defenders, tying the game with an and-one When speaking about her clutch plays throughout the game, specifically her big and-one, she said, “I think in the moment, it felt like a big accomplishment … like we were sealing up the win.”
Ortega Martinez was able to completely close up the game with a steal, running off to celebrate with her fellow champion teammates.
