URGENT UPDATE: The CIF-Southern Section girls basketball and soccer playoffs kicked off on February 12, 2023, and a total of 13 teams from the High Desert have secured their spots in the second round. Six basketball teams and five soccer teams will compete again this Saturday, with six of those matchups taking place locally.
In girls basketball, the action was intense. At Oak Hills, the Bulldogs faced a heartbreaking end to their season, losing 45-39 to Mira Costa. Despite a strong start, led by Bella Rincon’s 12 points in the first quarter, a devastating second quarter saw them score only 2 points. Mira Costa will now face Valencia, who triumphed over Chino with a commanding 76-44 victory.
In another thrilling game, Silver Valley stunned No. 2 seed Valley Christian with a nail-biting 54-51 win. Naomi Durrah was the star of the night, scoring an impressive 35 points. The Trojans will host Warren in the next round after their 50-37 win over Fontana.
Barstow also made headlines with a narrow 47-45 victory against Coastal Christian. Emily Franco led the Aztecs with 25 points and will now take on Burroughs, who defeated Chaffey 40-32. University Prep edged out Anaheim 40-38 thanks to a last-second shot by Camila Zapeta, setting up a clash with Norwalk.
Victor Valley Christian celebrated their first playoff win since 2020 with a 28-26 victory over Saddleback. Olivia Metler’s standout performance featured 10 points and strong defense, propelling the Royals to face Santa Clarita Christian next.
In girls soccer, Granite Hills dominated Culver City with a score of 4-2, highlighted by Lianna Tsabur’s four goals. The Cougars will next host Temescal Canyon, who triumphed 3-0 over Santa Fe. Riverside Prep cruised to a 5-0 victory against Gahr, with Jimena Nunez scoring twice to lead the Silver Knights into a matchup with Segerstrom.
Adelanto secured their place in the second round for the third consecutive year, defeating Temecula Prep 3-0. Goals from Destiney Olague, Giselle Perez, and Samantha Aguilar propelled the Saints to face top-seeded Beverly Hills next.
As the playoffs intensify, the stakes are high for these teams. Fans are eagerly awaiting Saturday’s matchups, where the excitement and competition are sure to reach new heights. Stay tuned for updates as the CIF-SS playoffs progress and more teams aim for glory!
