The Riverside Press-Enterprise
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL: CIF-SS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Etiwanda (28-3) vs. Sierra Canyon (301), 6 p.m., today at California Baptist University, Riverside IE Varsity info:
Etiwanda and Sierra Canyon, to no surprise, are squaring off for the CIF Southern Section’s Open Division championship for the third straight season. Etiwanda won in 2022, but Sierra Canyon avenged the loss in the CIF State playoffs. Sierra Canyon prevailed in last season’s section final, but Etiwanda returned the favor and won the rematch in the state playoffs. Both teams returned several key players this season, and each added a highprofile transfer to the lineup. Etiwanda is the No. 2team in the Calhisports.com state rankings and No. 3 team in Maxpreps.com’s national rankings. The Eagles are led by Usc-bound senior forward and Mcdonald’s All-american Kennedy Smith and junior point guard Aliyahna “Puff” Morris. Grace Knox, a 6-3junior forward who transferred from Nevada, has been a double-double machine whose role in the offense continues to expand. Sierra Canyon also has a Mcdonald’s All-american in senior forward Mackenly Randolph, daughter of former NBA standout Zach Randolph. Izela Arenas is the daughter of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and another key returner for the Trailblazers. Sierra Canyon’s big addition this season is guard Jerzy Robinson, a transfer from Arizona who is considered the nation’s No. 1 player in the 2026 recruiting class. Etiwanda has won 12 straight and won its three pool-play games by an average of 38 points. Sierra Canyon brings a 22-game winning streak into the finals and won its three pool-play games by an average of 27 points.
Etiwanda 68, Sierra Canyon 66
Prediction: DIVISION 1
Santiago (21-11) vs. Brentwood (23-8), 6 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Arena, Ontario IE Varsity info: Santiago seeks the program’s fourth section championship, including a third in six seasons under the leadership of coach Mike Mitchell. The No. 3-seeded Sharks have had some ups and downs during the season but have pulled things together for another strong postseason run. Santiago is led by senior guard Rylee Ghent, senior forward Zawadi Ogot and junior guard Jayda Cobbs. Brentwood was on the Open Division watchlist for most of the season, but a loss to Orangewood Academy in the final week of the regular season led to the Eagles being the No. 1 seed in the Division 1 bracket. Brentwood is led by junior guard Lev Feldman and senior forward Jocelyn Pascual. Santiago reached the CIF State Division 1 championship game last season, and one of the Sharks’ victories on the road to the finals was a 71-48 rout of Brentwood. Prediction: Santiago 65, Brentwood 62
DIVISION 2AA
Moreno Valley (28-4) vs. St. Anthony
(24-7), 6 p.m., today at Azusa Pacific University IE Varsity info:
Moreno Valley was another team in the Open Division picture but ultimately ended up with the No. 1seed in Division 2AA. The Vikings cruised in the first three rounds before pulling out a 53-48win over Buena Park in the semifinals. Moreno Valley won the Division 1A title in 1999, the program’s only other trip to the finals. The Vikings are led by the Mills sisters, junior guard Leiayjah and freshman forward Alaysha, and sophomore sharpshooter Bella Medina. Moreno Valley brings a 12-game winning streak into the game. St. Anthony has reached the section finals for the first time since 2016and seeks the program’s fourth title in as many tries. The No. 3-seeded Saints are led by senior Ryann Bennett and junior Kadence Lloyd. Prediction: Moreno Valley 66, St. Anthony 60
DIVISION 4AA Rancho Cucamonga (18-14) vs. Anaheim Canyon (24-9), 10 a.m. Saturday at Toyota Arena, Ontario IE Varsity info:
Rancho Cucamonga emerged as a championship contender early in the season and earned the No. 1 seed for the Division 4AA playoffs. The Cougars have reached the section finals for the first time in program history and done so in dominant fashion, winning playoff games by 54, 22, 29 and 32 points. Rancho Cucamonga has a balanced scoring attack, led by juniors Ndiah Hall and Julissa Jefferson. Sophomore Lauren Jensen had 16 points and 20 rebounds in a semifinal win over Santa Paula. Canyon has advanced to the finals for the third time in program history and first time since winning the 2011 Division 2A championship. The No. 2-seeded Comanches are led by senior twins Jasmine and Justine Prajitno and senior Sofi Majidi. Prediction: Rancho Cucamonga 60,
Canyon 54 DIVISION 5AA Colton (24-5) vs. Adelanto (17-11), 4 p.m. Saturday at Colony HS, Ontario IE Varsity info:
Colton dominated district rival and No. 2-seeded Grand Terrace in the quarterfinals, and the Yellowjackets pulled out their second one-point victory in these playoffs to slip by La Mirada and reach the section finals for the first time in program history. A win Saturday would bring the school its first section title in a girl’s sport since 1977 (field hockey). It’s quite the turnaround for a program that went a combined 3-87between the 2017and 2020seasons and had not won a playoff game in more than 20 years. The Yellowjackets are led by juniors Savannah Govea and Zoey Espino. Adelanto took down top-seeded Savanna in the semifinals to reach the section finals for the first time. The No. 4-seeded Saints are led by senior center Nina Lacy. Prediction: Adelanto 56, Colton 53