North Salinas girls hoops

What a treat it will be tonight for North Salinas to play in front of a packed gym.
 Call it a reward for a magical season.
 These opportunities are rare.
 North Salinas is making just its third State Northern California tournament appearance in 35 years, the last coming in 2010.
 Only four other programs in the county have ever gotten past the Central Coast Section finals in King City, Notre Dame, Stevenson and Salinas.
 The Vikings haven't faced a team of Santa Rosa's caliber since falling to Pittsburg on Dec. 27.
 Nineteen straight wins later, not to mention a Gabilan Division and CCS Division I title, North Salinas will find itself at a size disadvantage tonight.
 Santa Rosa has three players over 6-feet-2, two of which are averaging a combined 32.1 points a game.
 So what's new?
 North Salinas doesn't have a starter over 5-7.
 It found itself in similar situations against Palo Alto and Gunn in the section playoffs.
 You can't teach heart.