Temecula Valley tops Fontana in return to playoffs

The Temecula Valley girls basketball team came into the season motivated to get back to the postseason.

The Golden Bears accomplished that, ending the program’s seven-year postseason drought by winning 14 games during the regular season and earning an at-large entry into the CIF Southern Section’s Division 4AA playoffs.

And Temecula Valley’s turnaround campaign will continue following a 50-33 firstround victory over Fontana on Thursday night, the program’s first playoff victory in 12 seasons. After being held to eight points during the first quarter, the Golden Bears scored 37 points over the next two

FONTANA >> periods to prevail.

“One of my first priorities when I got here was to make sure we were getting work done in the off-season and they’re seeing those rewards on the floor,” Golden Bears coach Noel Salanga said.

Temecula Valley (15-11) will host Montclair (20-7) in a second-round game tonight.

Offense was hard to find for both sides in the opening quarter, as only 11 total points were scored, but the Golden Bears’ defense forced Fontana into seven turnovers.

“Two 0-10 seasons (in league) definitely made us sick of losing and willing to work hard during the offseason,” senior Yvette Topete said. “When I found out we got into these playoffs, I screamed, and we’re determined to keep going.”

Sienna Ferguson and Topete combined to score 20 of Temecula Valley’s 22 points in the second quarter, as the Golden Bears surged to a 30-18 lead at half. The highlight was Topete converting a four-point play from the left corner to give Temecula Valley a 21-9 lead with 3:15 to half.

Destiney Rentie hit a 3-pointer to help Fontana get within 24-18, but Ferguson drained a mid-range jumper to help push Temecula Valley’s lead to 12 at half.

“Our chemistry this season has been really good and that’s been the biggest key for us,” Ferguson said. “There was an excitement at practice that we haven’t felt before in getting ready for this game, and we’re excited to play on Saturday.”

Coming out of the half, Temecula Valley went on a 12-0 run to push the lead to 42-18 with 3:50 remaining in the third quarter. Four different Golden Bears hit shots during that run, started by Yalitza Orozco’s three-point play.

Fontana started the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run and cut the deficit to 43-29 after a 3-pointer by Vivianna Powell, but the Steelers got no closer.

“We knew they had a size advantage on us across the board, but we kept fighting and I’m so proud of our team for everything they’ve done this year,” Fontana coach Eric Tabatabai said.

Ferguson led Temecula Valley, the Southwestern League’s last team standing, with 18 points, and Topete added 15. Rentie led Fontana with 15 points.