STOCKTON — Lathrop High’s historic playoff run was derailed Friday by defending Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF State Division IV champion West Campus.
The No. 3-seeded Warriors were playing their fifth section title game since 2012 — they were runners-up in 2012, 2014, and 2016 — defeating the Spartans in the final played at the University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center, 78-52.
“That’s a real good team,” said Lathrop coach Dwayne Davis of West Campus.
No. 4 Lathrop (23-6) earned its first-ever visit to the section finals by knocking off top-seeded Foothill three days earlier.
Davis, who continues to battle an illness, was asked if he’d like to see his program follow a similar postseason path as that of the Warriors?
“No, we aspire to create our own legacy,” he said.
His Spartans have created a buzz by becoming co-Valley Oak League champions coupled with some playoff success.
West Campus (24-7) was unlike any team they previously faced.
The Golden Empire League champs were led by the shooting of Gabby Rones and Kiara Jefferson, who tallied 25 and 22 points, respectively. Nia Johnson chipped in with 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Those three along with Simone Johnson, who kicked off the game by nailing a 3, gave the Warriors a 21-9 first-quarter lead.
“We missed too many shots and we also missed a few of our defensive rotations,” Davis said.
The UCLA-bound Jefferson helped give West Campus a 37-22 lead by scoring her team’s last three baskets including a 3 by the break.
Lathrop’s best run came in the third. Semajynique Steen scored off a pair of drives to the hoop. She had another two by rolling to the basket and getting rewarded with a bounce pass from Khiya Thorton.
Mary Cotton’s bucket trimmed the large deficit to 48-38.
West Campus put one more big run together in the fourth.
Nia Johnson, Simone Johnson and Jefferson hit baskets to give the Warriors a 63-40 advantage while putting the game away.
Myani Thornton led Lathrop with 15 points.
Cotton finished with 11 points, 13 boards, three steals and a block.
Lathrop can now prepare for the CIF State Northern California Regional Championships beginning on Tuesday. Brackets will be released Sunday.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.