Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now.
Rain or shine, championships will be won and lost Saturday.
A total of 19 high school boys and girls basketball and soccer teams from the Daily News area will compete in CIF finals Saturday in the Southern Section and City Section.
Here’s a rundown of the championship action from morning to night by location.
HONDA CENTER (BASKETBALL)
6 p.m. – Sierra Canyon vs. Etiwanda (CIF-SS Open girls final)
Outlook: The Trailblazers are 29-0 and ranked the No. 1 team in the country in multiple polls. Senior Juju Watkins has won everything there is to win at the high school level except a CIF Southern Section Open Division title. She reached the final as a freshman at Windward in 2020, but lost to Mater Dei. Last year, she fouled out of the final in a loss to Etiwanda.
Fattal: Sierra Canyon’s Juju Watkins dominating her way into high school greatness
MIRA COSTA HIGH (BASKETBALL)
10 a.m. – Oak Park vs. St. Monica Prep (CIF-SS D5A girls final)
Outlook: Oak Park is back in a CIF final since 2019 and making its fourth appearance all-time. The Eagles’ only CIF title victory came in 2001 (D4AA). This year’s team is led by new coach Will Burr, standout freshman Delaney White and junior Lindsay Gould.
Player turned coach: Senior Karlee White leading Oak Park girls basketball from the sideline
2 p.m. – Valencia vs. St. Bonaventure (CIF-SS D4AA boys final)
Outlook: Valencia led by a trio of standout players in high-scoring wing Mikah Ballew, point guard Kai Davis and rising junior Bryce Bedgood, who recorded a triple-double earlier this season. The Vikings will be making their first-ever appearance in a CIF final Saturday, according to the section record book.
4 p.m. – La Salle vs. Hart (CIF-SS D2AA girls final)
Outlook: Hart has lost one game since Dec. 28 thanks to the leadership of senior Laney Grider (15 points per game) and sophomore Morgan Mack (15ppg). The program…
Read the full article here
