'They're 1 in a million': Colfax comeback falls short against Salesian

One of the best small-school postseason runs in state history ended Thursday night. After 21 consecutive wins in the Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF NorCal Regional playoffs, No. 3 seed Colfax fell to No. 6 Salesian of Richmond 53-51 in the NorCal Division II quarterfinals. After the final buzzer, the sound of players choking back tears was drowned out by a thunderous standing ovation inside the Ron Pucci Pavilion from the Colfax faithful that didn't end until the girls made it back to the locker room. Addressing her team after the game, Colfax coach Rexanne Simpton praised the Lady Falcons' accomplishments. "We tried to focus on all that we've accomplished this year," Simpton said. "Some people wait their entire career just to win a section championship, and they've won three section championships. They've got two NorCal championships. We tried to focus on the positives." This group will be enamored for years. In the 2023 state tournament, Colfax, with just more than 600 students, was bumped up to Division III. In 2024 and 2025, Colfax was in Division II and often lined up against opponents that had more students than Colfax had people. No matter who the opponent was, the Lady Falcons never backed down and they showcased that Thursday night. Colfax trailed by 13 late in the second quarter but clawed back in and took the lead on three occasions in the fourth period. The Lady Falcons had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds and to win with a half-court heave, but after grinding out multiple close and comeback victories over the last two years, the chips fell the other way. "They're just never out of it. In their minds, they're gonna do whatever they can," Simpton said. "We had a lot of contributions defensively tonight, we just came up short." Simpton said there were opportunities to win, but a slow first half and a 7-of-13 performance from the free-throw line were the differences. "In the first half, we didn't play our best and (Salesian) shot lights out. You can't help that," Simpton said. "In the second half, we just came out with a mission and knew that they shot the ball well and we didn't shoot the ball well, it's our turn. We were determined. We just came up a little short." The senior trio of Juliette James, Laurlyn Massick and Kaia Diederichs end their prep basketball careers as local legends, amassing 121 career victories, four Pioneer Valley League titles, three Sac-Joaquin Section championships and two NorCal crowns. The trio went down fighting, with all three scoring double figures. James led the Lady Falcons with 16 points while Diederichs and Massick added 13 and 10. "They are one of the best trios you know to come through Colfax, and there's been a lot of good players and good teams here," Simpton said. "What they've accomplished in their four years here, there's nothing like it. It's unheard of. They're fighters, they're competitors, and they hate to lose." Simpton said James, Massick and Diederichs are generational talents, especially at a public school, and what they accomplished was a testament to their hard work over the last four years. "They grew up. They came in as little ninth-graders. Two of them started when they were freshmen," Simpton said. "They're all just tremendous, not only tremendous basketball players but tremendous athletes and people. They're one in a million." Simpton said looking back on this team, there are so many memories that stand out but the two that resonate the most are last year's NorCal championship win at Pleasant Valley and the Sac-Joaquin Section championship this season. "Those were pretty special," said Simpton. Colfax's season ends at 27-7 and while there were plenty of tears and hugs as the team reunited with their friends and family, Simpton feels this team will be in the mix next season. "This doesn't happen overnight. You have to develop, especially in this area," Simpton said. "You have to start them young and build that culture and so that by the time they are seniors, they have put in the time. It's hard right now because these girls have been playing together since second grade." Senior Janiya Sawyer led Salesian (22-10) with 18 points and eight rebounds, and senior Vanessa Parilla had 11 points, five assists and four rebounds. The Pride is in the NorCal semifinals for the third time in four years and seeks its first state championship since winning the D-I title in 2022. The Pride will travel to play No. 2 Sierra Pacific (25-8) of Hanford on Saturday.