5 teams hosting opening round games

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Brackets are out for the CIF Central Section Division playoffs, and five out of the Orange Belt’s eight teams that qualified will host their opening round games.

Both the boys and girls teams from Granite Hills and Porterville High School will host at least their first games, while Monache’s boys and girls teams will play on the road. From Strathmore, the girls will travel for their first game and the boys will host theirs.

The playoffs begin with the girls games on Tuesday, Feb. 12, followed by the boys games on Wednesday, Feb. 13. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.

DIVISION II Monache (16-11, 7-3 EYL) After a year hiatus, Monache (16-11, 7-3 EYL) girls are back in the Div. II playoffs under first-year head coach Junell Garcia with a 10th-seed. The team will face seventh-seed Shafter (16-7) on the road to start.

If the Marauders win their next game is at second-seeded Yosemite (24-4), who received an opening-round bye.

DIVISION IV Porterville (25-4, 10-0 EYL) Hoping for another deep run into the playoffs are East Yosemite League champions, fourth seed Porterville (25-4, 10-0 EYL). Last season the Panthers made it to the Div. IV semifinals and won a game in the CIF State Div. V.

Porterville begins playoffs at home against 13th seed Highland (17-9). If the Panthers win, they’ll host the winner of the opening round game between fifth-seeded Bakersfield Christian (18-6) and 12th-seeded Mira Monte (15-9). Page 2B

RECORDER CHIEKO HARA Porterville High School’s Madison Johnson takes it to the hoop Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018 during the first half of a game against Lindsay at Strathmore High School.