Coach Jared Honig Inspires Valencia Girls’ Basketball Team in D1 Semifinals
Valencia High Girls’ Basketball Team Advances to Semifinals Under Jared Honig
In a significant turn of events, the Valencia High School girls’ basketball team, led by head coach Jared Honig, has secured a spot in the Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. The team is set to face Windward in a home playoff game this Saturday night.
Honig, a Granada Hills High School graduate who spent many years teaching and coaching at his alma mater, made the difficult choice to switch schools three years ago. The decision came after he and his wife welcomed their third child, prompting a move to Valencia for a more convenient commute.
The transition has proven fruitful, as the Vikings have demonstrated impressive growth, recently defeating Troy and its legendary coach, Kevin Kiernan, in the quarterfinals. "That’s my first time coaching against him. That was pretty cool," Honig remarked about the match-up.
Integral to the team’s success has been sophomore Kamilla Basyrova, who shattered the school’s three-point record last season with 94 baskets and is on track to surpass that mark this year while averaging 19.8 points per game. "Kamilla is an amazing three-point shooter," Honig stated, emphasizing her crucial role in the offense.
Meanwhile, senior Cara McKell has also contributed significantly, averaging 17.8 points. The Vikings now look to face an increasingly formidable Windward squad, which has gained momentum after a rocky start to the season, primarily led by standout Charis Rainey.
As he guides the Vikings towards championship aspirations, Honig is also preparing his own children—aged 8, 6, and 3—for their future in basketball. His transition to Valencia High appears to have fostered not only success on the court but a sense of belonging off it as well.
