The girls’ basketball showcase held in Temecula on January 24, 2026, saw impressive performances from Etiwanda, Ontario Christian, and Centennial high schools, each emerging victorious in their respective matchups. The event, featuring public and private school teams, highlighted the skill and determination of these young athletes.
Etiwanda Dominates Rancho Christian
Etiwanda High School’s girls basketball team, led by coach Stan Delus, demonstrated their prowess by defeating Rancho Christian with a commanding score of 104-73. The victory showcased the effectiveness of teamwork as players Arynn Finley, Chasity Rice, and Aliyah Phillips collectively contributed 68 points. Finley was the standout performer, scoring 27 points, with 17 of those coming in the second half.
Delus underscored the importance of execution during the game. Despite jumping to an early 7-0 lead, he called a timeout to refocus his players, reminding them to adhere to the game plan. “You’re not running the plays that were called,” he emphasized, reflecting his commitment to skill development.
Etiwanda’s strong start included a 32-16 lead after the first quarter, with Rice and Phillips each scoring seven points. The team maintained a 59-42 advantage at halftime, aided by a remarkable performance from Rancho Christian’s Ebony Taylor-Smith, who scored 33 points, including 11 three-pointers. This marked a season-high for Etiwanda, the three-time defending Open Division state champions.
Ontario Christian’s High-Scoring Victory
Ontario Christian faced San Marcos Mission Hills and emerged with a 110-70 win. The Knights, currently ranked second in national standings, demonstrated their offensive capability, marking their seventh game this season with over 100 points. Kaleena Smith led the Knights with 36 points, including seven three-pointers, while Tatianna Griffin and Chloe Jenkins contributed 27 and 16 points, respectively.
Despite a slow start, Ontario Christian found its rhythm and outscored Mission Hills 68-39 in the second and third quarters combined. Bay Cordova from Mission Hills also showcased her shooting skills, scoring 31 points, matching Smith’s seven three-pointers, but it was not enough to change the outcome.
Centennial Secures a Hard-Fought Win
In the final game of the showcase, Centennial High School faced San Diego Parker, managing a 56-45 victory despite being without star player Sydney Douglas, who is sidelined with a finger injury. Armanyie Reed stepped up, leading her team with 20 points, while Cydnee Bryant added a significant contribution with 16 points and 22 rebounds.
The game began slowly, with both teams struggling to score. It took over three minutes for the first points to be registered, but Centennial turned the tide with an 11-2 run. They maintained the lead throughout the game, holding Parker to just five points over a critical 12-minute stretch.
Jordan Brown of Parker managed to score 22 points, including four three-pointers, but ultimately, Centennial’s defensive effort proved decisive.
Chino Falls to Mater Dei Catholic
In another matchup, Chino High School faced Chula Vista Mater Dei Catholic but fell short with a score of 56-43. Chino struggled with turnovers, committing 35 throughout the game. Despite a strong performance from Lyric Green, who scored 21 points, the Cowboys could not maintain momentum, especially in the closing moments of the game.
Mater Dei Catholic capitalized on Chino’s mistakes and executed two significant runs of 15-1, ultimately sealing their victory.
The showcase provided a thrilling display of talent and competitiveness, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season as these teams prepare for upcoming challenges.
