Prep Girls Basketball: Broncos capture first section title in 18 years

Rebounding from the retirement of legendary girls basketball coach Peggy Brose in 2006 has been a long, windy road for Rancho Bernardo High. The next seven years the Broncos had three coaches, no playoff victories and zero winning seasons.

But Kai Harris, who was hired as head coach in 2012, was determined to get things turned around. His first two seasons Rancho Bernardo went a combined 8-42. Still, he stuck with it.

Harris kept pushing his philosophy, dubbed “The Bronco Way,” which stresses commitment, accountability and remembering that “no one person is better than the team.”

His players bought in; and with the help of a strong freshman class last year the program started winning again.

The Broncos had their first .500-plus season since 2006 and won their first playoff game since 2004. They nearly reached the San Diego Section Division III final, falling one win shy. It was painful to get so close, but the taste of winning was back at Rancho Bernardo.

And this year the Broncos didn’t fall short. They took another leap forward.

Led by sophomore Kaylee Presnell’s career-high 22 points and five 3-pointers, No. 4 Rancho Bernardo beat No. 3 Kearny 53-44 to claim the San Diego Section Division III championship Friday inside of Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego.

It is the school’s first girls basketball title since 1997, when now-athletic director Brose coached the Broncos to a Division I championship. It is Rancho Bernardo’s fourth section championship overall.

“This is amazing,” said Presnell, who had 15 3-pointers all season entering the title game. “My dad before the game told me ‘high arch and follow through’ and this time I listened. I never wanted something more in my life.”

Presnell, a 5-foot, 8-inch guard, was 8-for-12 from the field, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. Her seven points in the fourth quarter helped stave off Kearny’s furious rally from nine points down to open the period.

No shot was bigger than her 3-pointer with 4:34 to go. It diffused an 11-2 run by the Komets and put the Broncos back in the lead by one, an advantage they would not relinquish.

“Kay Kay is one of the biggest fighters and most resilient players we have on this team,” said Harris, who was donning a “The Bronco Way” T-shirt. “This game has been a long time coming for her. It came at a great time, but nobody is surprised at all that she did it.”

Aly Murray faced double teams most of the game, but still was able to finish with 12 points, including a 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line. The 6-foot wing was a huge part of the Broncos success this season, averaging 16 points per game.

“This is probably the greatest moment of my life,” said Murray. “We were ready to bring back the legacy of Rancho Bernardo and win a CIF title.”

It looked like a sure thing after Lane Reynolds’ layup made it 34-21 with 3:58 to go in the third. But the Komets closed the quarter on a 12-6 run to pull within seven. Kearny continued to stay hot, opening the fourth with an 11-2 run to take a 44-42 lead with 5:25 to go.

“We were a little frantic at that point,” Presnell said. “But we stayed poised and we were able to execute and win.”

That’s when Presnell hit the trey, sparking an 11-0 run by the Broncos (14-12) to close the game.

Rancho Bernardo has just two seniors. Cassidy Johnson finished with a team-high 11 rebounds and had four points, while Valerie Reyes contributed with four rebounds and four points.

“I am proud of everyone,” Harris said. “I thought they all did a great job.”