Then the school's rep rally band piped up, and the whole girls team was called to the stage. The auditorium erupted in applause.

Before a band assembly Thursday, team members received honors for their 58-54 win over San Diego High School on March 20, which earned them the state title.

"We proved everybody wrong," said Alexis.

"We finally did it," Devanie said.

Indeed, it was the team's first state crown, and the school has been celebrating with them ever since.

Some players have been hounded for autographs. And star players have even been told to watch out for unscrupulous scouts offering free wares.

With just a few seniors on the team, the girls squad is looking forward to next year -- and the years after -- as freshmen and junior players continue to lead the team.

"Not to sound braggy, but we had a feeling that with the group of girls we have this year, we knew they were going to do this," said the school's athletic director Karen Jones. "They played a lot of hard teams this year, so they didn't shy away from a strong competitive group of people in the playoffs."

Not that the team members are letting the victory go to their heads.

"The girls are thrilled and they were telling me that they've been stopped in the halls and asked for autographs and photos," said Principal Sheilagh Andujar. "They've having a good time with it, but that the same time they're very humbled by the win."

Plus, Andujar said, there's a measure of school pride that comes with winning such a lofty title.

"It seems like it's brought the school closer together," Andujar said.

Reach Mike Adamick at (510) 339-4061 or at madamick@cctimes.com.

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