Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — There can be little doubt as to who was the most impressive girls basketball team in the H-DNL this past season.

The St. Bernard’s girls not only separated themselves from the rest of the league in 2023/24, but they will go down as one of the most impressive teams in H-DNL history after becoming the first-ever league program to win a state championship in the sport, boys or girls.

Head coach Matt Tomlin and assistants Martha Shanahan, Sarah Shanahan and DJ Snowton did an outstanding job preparing their players for the most memorable postseason run in league history, which culminated in a 47-29 win over Grossmont out of San Diego County in the Division-4 state final earlier this month.

But it wasn’t just the coaching that paved the way to the Crusaders’ remarkable success.

The SB girls had arguably the most potent one-two punch in the H-DNL this year, as well as a supporting cast that continued to grow in stature as the season progressed, and together they played with a belief and confidence second to none.

That’s why they were able to overcome big deficits against Arcata twice, once in the Dick Niclai semifinals and once in the NorCal championship game.

It’s why they almost knocked off crosstown rivals Eureka, a far larger school, in the Niclai final.

Simply put, this was a group of players that rose to the occasion when they needed to the most, while also always taking care of business against teams they were supposed to beat.

Senior Madelyn Shanahan and junior Laila Florvilus — each of whom are also finalists for our 2023/24 girls player of the year — led the way on this year’s team and were the perfect complement to each other.

Shanahan dominated in the paint, at both ends of the floor, while no one in the H-DNL attacked the basket better than the dynamic Florvilus, who also was among the best perimeter defenders in the H-DNL.

Together they set the tone for the Crusaders and were deservedly named co-MVPs of the Little 4 for the second straight season.

But it was the growth of players like sensational freshman Samantha Sundberg, who was one of the Crusaders’ most clutch performers during their playoff run, and junior defensive specialist Aliyah Vigil that ultimately paved the way for the historic state title.

Others too played pivotal roles along the way, including Alyssa Boham and Jocelyn Sundberg, as well as players like Sahara Tupua, Hannah Finck and Ella Hart, all of whom gave the coaches valuable minutes and often provided a spark when their team needed it.

The experienced Finck in particular provided a calming presence on the floor when her teammates often needed it the most.

All in all, it was a season for the ages for this group of players, who finished up 30-5 and set a standard that will never be topped.

Runners-up — Eureka and Arcata

Submitted photo

Submitted photo