Auburn Journal girls team of the year: Colfax girls basketball brought community together on state championship run

Colfax High School's 2022-23 girls basketball team was not only one of the best teams in school history but state history as well. The Falcons won a program-record 34 games, tied for fifth-most in state history, and had a winning streak of 22 before coming up just short in the CIF State Division III championship final against Rancho Cucamonga-Los Osos at Golden 1 Center on March 10. Colfax's run to the state final was not unprecedented for the school of 661 students, but it was its first time there in 25 years and brought the community together, as residents flocked to Pucci Pavillion on campus to cheer on their beloved Falcons. "I still go to the grocery store and have people all the time coming up to me asking if I'm the basketball coach," Colfax coach Rexanne Simpton said. "The girls have that same situation. People that we don't even know will come up and ask them or compliment them. The community is still so proud of what we accomplished this year. I think it's pretty remarkable." Simpton said the foundation wasn't built during the season but last summer and fall as the Falcons prepared. Simpton knew Colfax had something special brewing, as it didn't graduate any players from the year before, but a first-round exit in the 2022 CIF State Tournament had the Lady Falcons coming in with unfinished business. "As the season went on and we continued to play some top teams in the state, our chemistry seemed to really click," Simpton said. "I don't know if there was one moment where it all came together, but if I had to pick one, I would say at the West Coast Jamboree after Christmas." Colfax began the West Coast Jamboree with a 58-33 victory over defending Division V state-champion San Domenico before edging Moreno Valley-Valley View and Washington-commit Ari Long to advance to the championship game. The Falcons fell to Pinole Valley 52-48, but that tournament was the start of a special run for Colfax. "All of the sudden, we start to realize that we can play with anybody. You know, I think the girls started really believing that," Simpton said. What followed was one of the most dominant runs in school history, as the Falcons plowed through the Pioneer Valley League with a perfect 14-0 record, winning every game by double digits. Colfax kept its dominance up in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs, winning every game again by double digits and taking home a section title with ease. Disaster nearly struck in the opening round of the state tournament, as the third-seeded Falcons trailed No. 14 Gilroy-Christopher by 11 at halftime and were in danger of a first-round upset for the second straight season. Colfax battled back, however, holding the Panthers to 12 points in the second half on the way to a 49-44 victory. Following a lopsided win over No. 11 Susanville-Lassen, the Falcons hit the road for the first time all postseason to face No. 2 Ross-Branson in the NorCal semifinals. "That game was fun to prepare for. We went in there and we knew what they were. We've beaten a team like this before," Simpson said. "We went in there thinking that we're able to win this and we're a team. We're gonna do this together, and we're not going to let anyone beat us." Colfax again made a second-half comeback without one of its top players, Kaia Diederichs, prevailing 41-40 to advance to the NorCal championship game. The Falcons came from behind for one final time, besting No. 9 Caruthers 53-52 to advance to the state championship. Leading scorer and senior leader Maycee Heimann sank two free throws and made a key defensive stop in the final minute to send the Falcons back to the state championship. While Colfax fell one win short of a state title, it left plenty for the small town to be proud of. The Falcons finished 34-3 overall and were PVL, Sac-Joaquin Section and NorCal champions. Senior point guard Gabriella Biittner was named league MVP while Heimann, Diederichs and Juliette James were named first-team all-PVL. Jade Biittner was named second-team All-PVL. Colfax graduates four seniors this year, including Heimann and Gabriella Biittner, but will bring back two of its top three scorers in Diederichs and James.