Etiwanda to face Sierra Canyon in Open Division semifinal - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Eric SondheimerFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The highly anticipated showdown between Etiwanda and Sierra Canyon will take place in the Southern Section Open Division semifinals on Tuesday night. Both teams have been dominant forces this season, with Etiwanda (30-2) defeating Rancho Christian 87-36, led by Arynn Finley's 19 points and Chasity Rice's 16. Meanwhile, Sierra Canyon (28-2) secured a strong victory over Mater Dei 79-38, with Jerzy Robinson scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. This matchup is eagerly awaited by fans, as both teams have consistently been among the top contenders in the section.
In another semifinal, Ontario Christian (29-1) advanced with an 84-61 win over JSerra, showcasing their continued dominance this season. They will face Sage Hill, who narrowly defeated Oak Park 59-58 in a thrilling quarterfinal. Karisma Flores scored 29 points for Oak Park, but it wasn't enough to overcome Sage Hill's determined performance.
Elsewhere in the section, Valencia secured a 59-46 win over Windward, with Kamilla Basyrova scoring 21 points and Cara McKell adding 18. Birmingham also made strides, advancing to the City Section Open Division final with a 73-28 victory over Hamilton. The Patriots' strong performance included standout contributions from freshmen Kiara Wakabi and Belinda Hernandez-Santiago, each scoring 15 points.
The semifinals have already delivered excitement across various divisions. In the City Section Division I bracket, El Camino Real edged out Eagle Rock 37-36 in a closely contested game, with Sophie Levy-Wright making crucial free throws to secure the win. Meanwhile, Granada Hills Kennedy advanced with a 63-52 victory over San Pedro, thanks to Melanie Mendez's strong first-half performance.
These semifinals highlight the depth and talent across Southern California high school girls basketball. With top-tier matchups and performances, fans can expect more thrilling action as teams vie for section titles. The games not only showcase individual star power but also team chemistry and resilience, making them must-watch events for any basketball enthusiast.
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/22/2026