Palisades Struggles in Second Half of Division IV State Basketball Championship Loss
SACRAMENTO — On Saturday morning, Ayla Teegardin, a senior from Palisades, held her head high despite the team’s 51-37 loss to Yuba City Faith Christian in the state Division IV girls basketball final at Golden 1 Center. The defeat did not overshadow the remarkable journey that Teegardin and her Dolphin teammates undertook to reach the finals, overcoming the devastation caused by the Palisades Fire that ravaged their community in January 2025.
Teegardin, who lost her home in the fire, spent three months living in a hotel as she navigated through the challenges of adolescence amid the tragedy. "I struggled with a lot of anxiety coming into games," she recalled, highlighting her emotional journey this season.
Basketball and the support of her teammates became essential for Teegardin as the season progressed. The team faced numerous obstacles, including conducting practices at middle schools until their high school gym reopened in late January.
“That traumatic situation has brought everyone closer,” said first-year coach Lebre Merritt, emphasizing the unity fostered by shared experiences of hardship.
In Saturday’s match, Palisades (16-14) put up a resilient fight against the formidable Faith Christian (34-1), trailing by just three points at halftime, 29-26. However, the Dolphins struggled in the second half, managing only 11 points while grappling with standout player Lauren Harris, who is committed to Long Beach State. Harris, who leads the nation in career three-point scoring, contributed 26 points, alongside 16 rebounds and five assists, including a half-court shot at the end of the first quarter.
Elly Tierney led Palisades’ offense with 15 points and six rebounds, while Teegardin added three points and six rebounds. Despite outrebounding Faith Christian 43-33, the Dolphins faced challenges on offense, shooting just 15 of 63 from the field.
The defeat in the championship game is a setback, but the journey of the Palisades girls basketball team has inspired their community in the wake of adversity.
