Look: Pleasant Valley's AJ Gambol sinks Oakland Tech at buzzer in state quarterfinals
Already the Vikings' all-time leading scorer, junior AJ Gambol further cemented herself as a Chico-area legend on Saturday to keep the playoff run going.
With a Northern Section Division 3 title already under their belt, her Pleasant Valley Vikings were tied 62-62 with 0.5 seconds left on Saturday against reigning Division I State champion Oakland Tech. With Pleasant Valley needing to score from mid-court with half a second left, the Division II Northern Region semifinal seemed destined to go to overtime.
But it wasn't. Ava Dunn delivered an inbounds pass off one bound to Gambol, who sealed two Oakland Tech defenders, sprinted straight to the corner, turned as she grabbed the ball and swished an 18-footer over the outstretched arms of a defender while fading out of bounds.
Bedlam. Final: Pleasant Valley 64, Oakland Tech 62. It was a court-storming celebration, and for Tech, a heartbreaking ending to its season.
Pleasant Valley goes on to face Colfax on Tuesday for a regional title and a spot in the CIF Division II State finals.
(Video courtesy of NFHS)
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