Top Individual Performances in State Basketball History You Should Know About
CIF State Basketball Championships: A Look at Historic Performances
As the CIF State Basketball Championships approach this Friday and Saturday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, attention turns to some of the most remarkable individual performances in the tournament’s history.
One of the standout moments came in 1989 when Tracy Murray scored an astounding 64 points for Glendora in the Division II final held at the Oakland Coliseum. Despite his extraordinary effort, Glendora fell to Menlo, 89-83. At the time, Murray’s coach was Mike LeDuc, who currently leads Damien.
More recently, Brayden Burries made headlines last season by scoring 44 points to secure the Open Division championship for Eastvale Roosevelt at Golden 1 Center.
In 2008, Klay Thompson, then of Santa Margarita, delivered a memorable performance by scoring 37 points, including a record seven three-pointers, to help the Eagles clinch the Division III title with a 72-55 win over Sacramento at Arco Arena.
Josh Shipp also left his mark on CIF history in 2004 when he contributed five three-pointers to lead Fairfax to a Division I title, defeating De La Salle 51-35, again at Arco Arena.
The 2006 Division II final is remembered for its dramatic finish, as Palo Alto upset Mater Dei 51-47 thanks in part to Jeremy Lin’s memorable 25-foot bank shot from the key.
On the girls’ side, Cheryl Miller set the record for the most points scored in a final when she netted 41 points for Riverside Poly in 1982, leading her team to a 77-44 victory over Los Gatos at Oakland Coliseum. Both teams entered the championship undefeated at 33-0.
Lisa Leslie added to her legacy in 1990, scoring 35 points in the Division I final as Morningside defeated Berkeley 67-56 at Oakland Coliseum.
In the 2018 Open Division title game, Charisma Osborne of Windward showcased her shooting prowess with six three-pointers, scoring 26 points to help her team secure a 58-47 victory over Pinewood.
These performances not only highlight individual talent but also underscore the competitive spirit that defines California high school basketball.
