SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Branson players and coaches pose with their trophy after defeating Imperial 46-23 during the CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: The Branson bench reacts in the closing seconds of their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game 46-23 win against Imperial at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Branson head coach Trey Mitchell roots on his team during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game against Imperial at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Avery Myerberg (14) of Branson drives to the basket past an Imperial defender during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Isabella Arauz-Moore (20) of Branson drives to the basket past a pair of Imperial defenders during the CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Jaliyah Wiggins (11) of Branson looks to pass while being defended by Amy Riley (4) during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Rosie Slayen (2) of Branson drives to the basket past a pair of Imperial defenders during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Hannah Golan (10) of Branson shoots over an Imperial defender during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Golan had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23.
(Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Hannah Golan (10) of Branson shoots over Imperial defender Amy Riley (4) during the CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Golan had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23.
(Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Fans in Branson student section cheer on their team during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game against Imperial at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Jaliyah Wiggins (11) of Branson makes a steal from Sierra Morris (15) of Imperial
during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23. Wiggins had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Hannah Golan (10) of Branson drives to the basket through the Imperial defense during the CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Golan had 21 points and 15 rebounds. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23.
(Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Hannah Golan (10) of Branson smiles as she looks to the Branson student section late in the game during their CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game against Imperial at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Branson defeated Imperial 46-23
To claim the title. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Branson head coach Trey Mitchell celebrates with his players after defeating Imperial 46-23 during the CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO CA - MARCH 12: Branson celebrate after defeating Imperial 46-23 during the CIF State Basketball Championships Division IV Girls game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
The dreams that were forestalled two years ago finally became reality Saturday as the players from The Branson School raised their championship trophy. The victory proved something the Bulls had known all along: that they are among the best girls basketball teams in California.
Hannah Golan was nearly unstoppable in the Bulls’ 46-23 victory over Imperial Valley to claim the CIF State Division IV crown at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings. Golan looked right at home on an NBA court with 21 points, 15 rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
“I got here Nov. 1 and one of the first things I told these girls was that we’re going to win a ring,” Branson head coach Trey Mitchell said after winning the State title in his first season with the Bulls.
Mike Fulton, who coached the Branson girls to their only two previous State titles in 2007 and 2008, offered some words of encouragement to Mitchell before the weekend.
“I’d like to thank Coach Fulton for that conversation. It was much appreciated,” Mitchell said.
Fulton coached the San Domenico girls team to the State Division V title just 24 hours earlier.
