While Tuesday's 75-27 Sac Joaquin playoff loss to Division V powerhouse Bradshaw Christian was bitter, Valley Christian Academy's season was sweet- advancing to the second round for the first time in school history and posting one of the Lions' best records in the past ten years.

"I think the biggest accomplishment is we come from a school of 28 girls that are students first," said head coach Kim Contreras. "They play every sport, and to go as far as we did this year...I can't ask for anything more. These girls did extroardinary."

Tonight was tough, as the Pride of Bradshaw Christian put on a clinic in ball movement, full court man pressure defense, unselfish play and crashing the boards.

The Lions got down to the Pride early 14-0 and never could mount a rally to get back in the game, as Bradshaw led 44-9 at the half. Bradshaw was driven by powerful interior play from center Cheyenne Williams, who dominated the glass with 16 points, 7 rebounds, three steals and three assists.

Jordie Smith lashed the nets both inside and out, leading the Pride with 22 points, four steals and three blocks. Point guard Ferrandi Espinosa was all over the court, adding 13 points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists while guard Ashlee Jones contributed 11 points and six steals.

"We were feeling really good and we didn't want it to be anything like the last two games we played against them," said junior center Samantha Shoemake. "That's what I wanted, I didn't want to be blown out like today."

The Lions never quit, as Shoemake led the squad with 13 points, 7 rebounds and two steals. junior point guard Carly Gist put up seven, while sophomore wing Heather Frank added four.

"The last two games we played them extroardinary," said Shoemake. "At the end of last season we only lost to them by nine, it just didn't happen today."

The most impressive high point of the season for the Lions was beating Forest Lake Christian out of Auburn on Tuesday.

"It was so exciting, we had lost to them two years straight," said Gish. "I'm just glad we pulled it together and won."

The 63-61 first-round win was not easy, but with only five to six girls in the rotation- the out-manned Lions managed a way to hold on to the victory.

"Our girls were tired of losing to them," said Contreras. "We were more confident, because we had Samantha back from injury. They came in strong. They were physically and emotionally tired, but they just pushed through. They held it, they were calm, they ran the clock down and they took the victory."

Valley Christian ends the year 17-10, and 11-3 in Sac Metro league play.

"At the beginning of the season we were shaky, we didn't think we were going to win anything," explained Gish. "Getting to the playoffs and beating Forest Lake, we accomplished our goal. We're happy with that. We always pulled it together as a team, when we lose and when we win - we were as a team. We knew it was Bradshaw, but we put what we had out there."

The Lions' junior wing Midori Bounds had a strong game on the boards, snatching seven, while senior guard Mandy Vail left nothing on the court- grabbing six rebounds.

"I think the three girls that made first team and second team all-league really proved themselves tonight," said Contreras.