For a young team, the Crusaders play with a lot of composure.

On Tuesday night, the No. 14 seeded St. Bernard’s girls opened the Division-3 state playoffs with a statement win in Salinas, knocking off a team that was seeded 11 spots higher than them on the road.

Head coach Matt Tomlin and his players made the seven-hour drive to play Alisal, a school 14 times the size of St. Bernard’s, and came away with a 51-48 win to keep their memorable season going.

The victory sets up a Thursday night quarterfinal at No. 11 Menlo Atherton, a school of almost 2200 students.

But that won’t bother the Crusaders, who have carried their impressive regular-season form over into the postseason and stunned the No. 3 Trojans on Tuesday night.

“Seven-hour road trip, playing a school of (2800) students, a packed gym with rowdy students, and the Amazing Lady Crusaders faced the challenge head on, stayed together as a team and found a way to pull off the big-time upset with heart, courage, grit, toughness and togetherness,” Tomlin said.

Making that even more impressive is the fact the Crusaders feature just two seniors this season, but a young lineup was clearly up for the challenge and played beyond its years once again.

No one more so than sophomore point guard Carli Baum, who carried her team with one of the biggest performances of her young life.

Baum scored a team-high 27 points and was outstanding against the home team’s full-court pressure.

“The smallest player in the gym put on an absolute show tonight,” Tomlin said of Baum, who seems to relish the big occasion.

Samantha Sundberg added nine points in the win, as the Crusaders improved to 23-8 on the season with their third postseason win. 

Submitted photo – St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin talks to his players during a timeout in Tuesday’s game.

CJ Figas also impressed and finished with seven points for the visitors.

It was a night, the SB players and fans won’t easily forget, as they continue to showcase why they are one of the most dangerous teams when it comes to the state playoffs, no matter who they face.

“I am so proud of this team,” Tomlin added. “They accomplished something special tonight in the state playoffs that they will remember the rest of their lives.

“It does not matter how big a challenge you are facing if you face it head on and attack it with your best effort.”

Menlo-Atherton also upset the odds on the road on Tuesday defeating No. 6 Torres 60-51.

With the win, the Bears improved to 22-5.

Thursday’s quarterfinal is set for 7 p.m.