First title for Grossmont girls

For the first time in school history, Grossmont High owns a San Diego Section girls basketball championship.

With a strong second half by junior Taisha Silas, top-seeded Grossmont claimed the Division IV title with a 38-31 victory over No. 6 Crawford at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion on Friday.

Silas got over her nervousness at halftime thanks to a quick talk with third-year coach Grace Campbell.

After a scoreless first half, Silas scored 15 second-half points to lead the Foothillers (25-5), who fumbled away a 25-16 lead, fell behind by three, but managed to rally as the 5-foot-10 scorer hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final two minutes.

“Coach told me to play my game,” said Silas, who was 0-for-4 shooting at halftime before going 6-for-11 after the break. “I was so nervous because my family has never watched me play basketball. I asked her to give me a second chance.

“A lot of people doubted us. That’s why it’s hard to believe we’re the first team to do this.”

Silas also grabbed eight rebounds.

Crawford (17-10) tied the game three times and led 28-25 on Diaminie Kenion’s 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter.

But the Hillers outscored the Colts 13-3 down the stretch.

“I know we had championship game jitters,” Campbell said. “To get here in just three seasons is a dream come true for this school and my players.

“I told the girls that at this point at halftime it would come down to who wanted it more. Thank goodness we had a second half in us.”

Sophomore Jenny Chim paced Crawford with 15 points on five 3-pointers, four of which were banked in.

Each team committed 22 turnovers.