Carson High School point guard Ciarra Christian helped lead the Jam On It Basketball 16 and under team to the AAU Pacific Regional title for the second year in a row.
Christian had several key shots during the final minute (hitting five of six free throws), plus her outstanding ball handling was key in the finals, coach Matt Williams said. Williams is a former University of Nevada standout.
The team is eligible to participate in the AAU National Championships July 7-13 in Coco Beach, Fla. This group of girls won the 15 and under Regional Championships last year and went to the Nationals in Overland Park, Kan.
En route to the title of the double elimination tournament, the team won its three qualifying games to reach the championship game. In the championship finals, the team lost to Hoop Ridaz of Vallejo, Calif., who came out of the loser's bracket. The score was 64-62. Jam On It defeated Hoop Ridaz 21-18 in the re-match to win the title.
Jam On It, the tournement's No. 1 seed, opened play with an 49-47 victory in double overtime, defeating San Francisco Knights. In game two, the Antioch Lady Titans fell victim to Jam On It 64-57. In their third game, the Jam On It girls sent Hoop Radaz to the loser's bracket with a 65-56 win.
The other girls on the team include Maria Moore (Reed), Brittany Moore (Reed), Mackenzie Butler (Reno High), Danielle Price (Loyalton), Kyle Molino (Spanish Springs), Amber Delany (McQueen), Stacey Raits (Galena), and Elise Deberg (Manogue).