Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
Read more Dodgers’ dormant offense goes quiet again in loss to Braves
CIF STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
At Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
FRIDAY’S GAMES
DIVISION V
Laguna Hills (21-11) vs. Woodland Christian (32-3), 10 a.m.
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Streaming: NFHS Network
Outlook: Laguna Hills, seeded fourth in the Southern California Division V Regional, has advanced to its first state final since 2012 . Veteran coach Jim Martin calls it an “unexpected run.” The Hawks edged Tustin 43-42 in a tiebreaker to secure the Golden West League’s final automatic entry for the CIF-SS playoffs.
In the postseason, Laguna Hills has shown its resilience. The squad won three games by five points or less en route to the Division 7 final. After a 27-point loss to league foe Kennedy in the section championship, the Hawks knocked off top-seeded Rosamond in the regional semifinals. In the regional final, they defeated Schurr, the school that ousted Laguna Hills in the section quarterfinals last season.
Laguna Hills is led by sisters Cameron and Keira McDermott. Cameron, who plays point guard, is one of four seniors who starts. She averages 14.1 points. Keira, a sophomore forward, averages 12.5 points. She scored 22 points, including six 3-pointers, in the regional final.
Laguna Hills has reached its third state final, which ties Woodbridge and Rosary for fourth most in Orange County history. The Hawks finished as the state runner-up in Division III in 2012 and won Division II in 1997.
Martin is in his 28th season as the team’s coach.
Woodland Christian, the sixth seed from the Northern California Regional, is the defending state Division V champion. The school is located about 30 minutes from Golden 1 Center. The Cardinals are led by sisters Siena and Sofia Sorbello, the daughters of coach Shiloh Sorbello.
Read more Lakers prep for Game 4 on verge of playoff elimination
DIVISION III
El Dorado (23-14) vs. Valley Christian of San Jose (16-15), 2 p.m.
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Streaming: NFHS Network
Outlook: The Golden Hawks, the No. 2 seed from the Southern California Division III Regional, have reached their first state final. Under fourth-year coach Matt Raya, El Dorado won CIF-SS Division 4 for its first section title since 1976. The squad rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Leuzinger in the regional final. El Dorado narrowly claimed an at-large entry to the CIF-SS playoffs. The team won its final two games of the regular season to achieve a .500 record and become eligible for an at-large entry.
El Dorado is led by seniors Delaney Shiring, Kennedy Wood and Riley Morikawa. Shiring, a versatile forward, averages 17 points and 8.5 rebounds. Wood, a point guard, averages 10 points and 6.1 assists. Morikawa, a guard, averages 7.9 points.
The playoffs have been special for Raya, an alumnus of El Dorado and a former Rosary assistant coach. His brother Gary was El Dorado’s girls basketball coach and assistant boys coach before he died in 1995 at age 29 of a heart issue. The gym at El Dorado is named after the boys’ late father Joe Raya, the Golden Hawks’ former equipment and maintenance manager who also served as an athletic trainer and school custodian.
Valley Christian, the fourth seed from the Northern California Regional, is led by senior point guard Kenedi Nomura. The Warriors are part of the West Catholic League, which includes Open Division finalist Archbishop Mitty.
Read more Recipe: Tasty dessert is just right for this warm spell