8th Grade Girls Basketball Team Net Back-to-back Championships

MILPITAS, CA -- Nothing like a cross town rivalry -- especially when the game that carried all the weight of the year ends in your favor. That's what a beaming eighth grade girls basketball team at Rancho Milpitas Middle School could be saying, when the girls jumped all over their rivals at Russell Middle School to net Thursday their second championship in the last two years.

The final was 28-23 in an all-around exciting game that would make the NBA team just north of the school proud.

"The team played well together, and everyone contributed to the win," said physical education teacher and coach Jim Burns, who took the team to the championship last year. The individual scoring reflecting teamwork and collaboration.

Principal Casey McMurray shared the enthusiasm for the team and school.

"It is exciting to see our girls win their second championship in as many years. They represented our school with pride, and I couldn't hope for more. Way to go 'Dons!'" McMurray told Patch, referring to a Spanish term of respect. Don is also the school mascot.

--Image courtesy of Rancho Milpitas Middle School