Once Christina Castro and Destiny Garcia figured out how to break the press, there was no stopping Lindsay High.

Mendota's full-court defense gave the Cardinals' dynamic backcourt fits in the first quarter of Saturday's Central Section Division IV girls final at Selland Arena. But when Castro and Garcia got going, there was little the Aztecs could do -- except commit fouls.

Castro scored 22 points and Garcia 13 while making a combined 14 of 21 free throws as Lindsay overwhelmed Mendota 61-37 to capture its first section title in girls basketball.

Center Kennedy Blue added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Cardinals (24-6), extra motivated by a loss to Memorial in last season's D-IV title game.

"Last year we didn't know what to expect," Castro said. "The experience from last year totally helped us."

Added coach Frankie Arguelles: "We were young last year and didn't know what to expect. One year makes a big difference."

Senior guard Edna Ayala led Mendota (22-4) with 10 points, while senior center Ashley Escobedo had eight points and 20 rebounds.

It was the Aztecs' first appearance in a section title game, and their inexperience showed with 21% shooting and 28 turnovers.

"We tried to pressure them, get them tired and capitalize on the mistakes they made," Mendota coach Jose Reyes said. "Honestly, we didn't do a good enough job capitalizing."

The Cardinals took control by outscoring Mendota 20-8 in the second quarter.

Castro and Garcia combined for 16 free-throw attempts in the first half -- five more than Mendota tried as a team.

"We saw that they were in foul trouble and every time we'd come up they'd give us the middle lane," Garcia said. "We'd just drive and drive because they wouldn't take any charges and just straight foul you. So we had to finish at the free-throw line."

Lindsay's dynamic duo got it done defensively, as well. In the decisive second quarter, Garcia hustled downcourt to break up a layup attempt by Ayala and force a turnover.

On Mendota's next possession, Castro took a hard charge as Ayala drove the lane.

Lindsay's lead grew to double digits midway through the second quarter when Castro and Megan Salinas hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions.

Castro's biggest bucket came with 7 seconds left in the first quarter when she swished a 3 from the top of the key to put Lindsay ahead 11-10. It was the Cardinals' first field goal.

"That swung the momentum back to our side and gave us some confidence," Garcia said.

With four junior starters -- Garcia, Castro, Salinas and wing Ashley Baker -- that confidence will only grow.

Both teams advance to the CIF Southern Regionals on Wednesday night. Seedings and pairings will be announced Sunday.