Special to the Town Crier
If there was a season for the Pinewood School girls basketball program to win its first-ever state title, this was the year.
But in the end, the Panthers were doomed by their greatest strength.
During the course of the year, Pinewood utilized its perimeter shooting as well as any girls program in the country. The team set state and national records for three-pointers.
However, it was cold shooting last weekend in the NorCal Division V championship game that ended the Panthers' dream season.
In No. 2-seeded Pinewood's 52-42 loss to top-seed Modoc last Saturday at Delta College in Stockton, the Panthers picked the wrong game to go frigid beyond the three-point arc.
Pinewood made just three of 25 three-point tries, 16 of 46 field goal attempts and committed 23 turnovers in the disappointing setback to the taller Braves.
And if the Panthers had any chance to advance to the state title game, they had to make at least a third of their three-point shots.
"We live and die with our perimeter shooting and today we died," Pinewood coach Doc Scheppler said. "And their extended (2-1-2) zone created havoc."
The Panthers led 25-23 at halftime by holding their ground down low against Modoc's pair of 6-foot-plus post players.
But along the way, Pinewood got into foul trouble.
Freshman Sebnum Kimyacioglu and senior Kacey Scheppler both had three fouls by the break.
With the contest tied at 34-all entering the fourth quarter, Modoc pulled away by hitting from the field (5 of 9) and the foul line (7 of 9).
Meanwhile, the Panthers went cold, missing nine of their 12 three-point attempts.
"We accomplished a lot this year, winning a CCS title and two NorCal games," coach Scheppler said. "And we'll be back."
Pinewood defeated Denair 81-42 in the first round March 10. The host Panthers nailed 12 three-pointers in that game.
Kacey Scheppler made six three-pointers and led the Panthers with 26 points. Junior Lauren Smith-Hams hit four three-pointers and finished with 24 points. Senior Alex Cribbs also connected on four treys and wound up with 18 points.
Pinewood then nipped visiting Branson 49-42 in the semifinals last Thursday.
Kimyacioglu was the hero of the game, tallying 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.
The Panthers made 251 three-pointers this season, setting a national record.
Individually, Kacey Scheppler set the state record for career three-pointers with 397.
However, Pinewood made only six three-pointers in their final two NorCal playoff games.
Last Saturday's NorCal championship also marked the final games for standout seniors Kacey Scheppler, Cribbs and Kelli Riches, who played a large part in making Pinewood a Division V power.
The Panthers end the season with a 28-4 record and their first Central Coast Section title.