The Buena Bulldogs faced off against the Oakland Wildcats at the Golden One Center, the home of the Sacramento Kings, for the Division III California state championship.

Playing at an NBA arena was something none of the team was used to, and with that came some pre game nerves. 

Buena started the game slow, and struggled with turnovers early on, finishing the first quarter with 7 points, trailing 7-14.

“At first I was nervous because everything was so big and bright,” junior center Luke Ortiz said. “But I settled in very quickly and felt a lot of excitement to have that opportunity.”

The second quarter showed more of the same from the Bulldogs, although they had not nearly as many turnovers. They went on a few good runs on defense, but were never able to finish it off on the other side of the court. 

They went into halftime having scored less points in the second quarter than in the first, and they continued to chase a lead at 13-22.

It seemed as though the offense woke up a little in the third quarter, as the Bulldogs managed to put double digits on the scoreboard. Oakland’s offense also grew flames, doubling the amount of points they had in the first half, and extending their lead to 44-23 going to the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was the first quarter that Buena outscored Oakland in, but mounting a comeback that big was near impossible, and they finished the game in a 43-59 loss.

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Bulldogs pregame huddle in Sacremento.

Despite the disappointment of the loss, the Bulldogs making it to that game was an accomplishment in itself and the players enjoyed the experiences that they had in Northern California.

“Although it didn’t end how we wanted, going to Sacramento for a state championship was a great experience that I will never forget,” senior guard Daniel Ortiz said. “Talking and laughing with my brother, Coach Colton, and Coach Dom on the drive to Sacramento was my favorite memory on the trip.”