It happened. Dressed in white the Sierra Linda students, staff, parents, alumni and community finally came out in full force to support the #3 ranked Lady Bulldogs. They defeated Coconino high school from Flagstaff 54-42 on Friday February 19th in the Dog House. The mood was electric and the team wasted no time pleasing the Bulldog Nation by going up by 10 points to end the first quarter 20-10.

Senior Bryanna Hernandez said. “It was cool seeing the crowd there and being so active. It pumped us up”. The team is now 29-3. Starters Raenesha Willis, Janae Gonzales, Jenay Bojorquez, and Lonntiay Williams all stepped up to handle their roles. Cheyenne Lee and Arayana Hernandez gave energy and attitude to the victory.

Coconino never gave in and battled the entire game but went into halftime down 26-15. In the second half both offenses caught fire where both teams scored a combined 31 points with fast breaks, 3 point shooting, and defensive turn overs.

Coach Carranza was proud of her teams overall effort. Coconino battled and gave them a great test. “That’s playoff basketball. Teams that get this far have heart so you have to be ready”.

The team plays now at Gila River Casino in Glendale on Tuesday, February 23 @ 4 p.m. against the badgers from Prescott high who come to the valley wit ha 22-5 record.

Sierra Linda journalism reporters Dawg Pound Media will be providing updates via Instagram @ slhs_ , live streamed updates, photos, and updates on Facebook at Dawg Pound media.

If the team wins they will then be in the FINAL FOUR and play on February 27 Saturday morning at 9:15 for a chance to play in the AIA State Championship game on Monday Feb 29th

An unidentified students said, “Now is the time to support the Bulldog Nation. The Lady Bulldogs are playing for all of us”

For a complete AIA State Division II play off bracket please visit www.azpreps365.com/brackets/basketball-girls/d2/329/2016-aia-division-ii-basketball-girls-state-championships