The varsity girls basketball team defeated the Ponderosa Bruins in its last game of Capital Valley Conference league play yesterday and earned themselves a CVC co-championship title as well as a home first-round playoff game. The Tigers earned a 63-43 victory over the Bruins that put them at 20-7 on the season and 12-2 in league, which was enough to secure the league co-title alongside the rival Antelope Titans.

With the key victory, the Tigers claim their first league banner in 23 years. The girls were led by guard Shelbie McKay, who put on a scoring outburst on her Senior Night.

McKay poured in a career high 32 points, which included three shots from outside the perimeter. The Tigers overwhelmed the Bruins with their 21 point third quarter which gave them a 13 point lead going into the fourth.

Because they captured first place in league, the Tigers clinched the fifth seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff bracket and are set to face off against the Lodi Flames. The Flames finished 19-7 overall and 6-2 in Tri-City Athletic League play, earning them the 12 seed.

This is the Tigers’ second consecutive year making playoffs, losing to the Vanden Vikings in the second round of the SJS Division II tournament last year. According to McKay, the team has a better mindset going into playoffs this year.

“This year, we are determined to make a name for ourselves and go further [in playoffs] than we did last year,” McKay said.

McKay believes that having home court advantage will benefit the team tremendously.

“It would be awesome if we could get a [home game] this year because a crowd helps anyone,” McKay said. “It would definitely give us a lot of confidence and motivation.”

As the Tigers prepare for their playoff push, McKay is determined to make it past the second round of the section tournament as it would automatically qualify them for play in the NorCal tournament.