Etiwanda and Sierra Canyon Set to Clash in Open Division Semifinal of Girls’ Basketball Playoffs
High School Girls Basketball: Semifinals Set to Showcase Elite Teams
The excitement is building as the highly anticipated clash between top teams Etiwanda and Sierra Canyon approaches. Scheduled for Tuesday night, this matchup will be part of the Southern Section Open Division semifinals, taking place at Etiwanda High School.
Sierra Canyon (28-2) secured their spot in the semifinals with a decisive 79-38 victory over Mater Dei in their quarterfinal game on Saturday. Jerzy Robinson led her team with a standout performance, contributing 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Etiwanda (30-2) also advanced with authority, routing Rancho Christian 87-36. Arynn Finley scored 19 points, while Chasity Rice added 16, further solidifying Etiwanda’s place among the state’s elite teams. Both Etiwanda and Sierra Canyon have been chasing top-seeded Ontario Christian throughout the season, generating anticipation for this showdown.
Ontario Christian (29-1) will compete in the other semifinal after defeating JSerra 84-61. They will face Sage Hill, which edged out Oak Park with a narrow 59-58 win, aided by a strong performance from Karisma Flores, who scored 29 points for Oak Park.
Additional Highlights from the Playoffs
In the Southern Section Division I semifinals, Valencia triumphed over Windward with a score of 59-46, earning a place in the final. Kamilla Basyrova led the Vikings with 21 points, followed closely by Cara McKell with 18.
Birmingham also made headlines, claiming a 73-28 victory against Hamilton to advance to the City Section Open Division final, with freshmen Kiara Wakabi and Belinda Hernandez-Santiago each scoring 15 points. The Patriots will face Westchester, who won decisively against Venice, 79-45.
In a nail-biting City Division I semifinal, El Camino Real edged out Eagle Rock with a final score of 37-36. Sophie Levy-Wright sealed the win with two critical free throws in the final seconds, finishing with 15 points. Nylah Moore led Eagle Rock, the Northern League champions, with 17 points.
Finally, Granada Hills Kennedy defeated San Pedro 63-52, propelled by Melanie Mendez, who scored 15 of her 17 points in the first half. They will meet El Camino Real in the upcoming final.
North Hollywood also advanced, winning 56-31 against Santee to reach the City Division II championship, where they will compete against Harbor Teacher Prep, who triumphed over West Adams with a score of 49-29.
