Girls' basketball: So who's No. 1?

BAKERSFIELD--Stockton St. Mary's made its case. And Rams Coach Tom Gonsalves wants the whole world to know it.

St. Mary's obliterated Bishop Amat, 89-41, in the Division III championship Saturday afternoon at Rabobank Arena, solidifying its claim as the top-ranked girls' basketball team in the nation.

The Rams (34-1) suffered only one defeat this season, a 66-60 setback against Santa Ana Mater Dei in December. The Monarchs (32-1) were the top-ranked team in the nation after that triumph but dropped following a loss to Brea Olinda in January.

Noting the way Mater Dei struggled to put away Concord Carondelet in the Division II title game and the impressive manner in which his team routed Bishop Amat, Gonsalves said, "I think we made it pretty clear who the best team was."

What about the fact that Mater Dei beat the Rams?

"I think we're the best team right now," Gonsalves said, "and that's what I base my rankings on."

--Ben Bolch

Comments

[Kevin]

If Long Beach Poly wins tonight, Mater Dei will have beaten the Div. 1, 3, and 4 State Champions while winning the D2 Championship themselves. Mater Dei should be ranked #1.