girls' basketball playoff previews for CIF-SS: League champions La Mirada and Whitney are aiming for deep postseason runs
The 2025 CIF-Southern Section divisional playoffs for girls basketball are set to begin on Thursday, February 13, with some of the region's top teams vying for a spot in the finals. Here's a look at some of the key matchups in the opening rounds.
In Division 3AA, Cerritos High will face off against Lancaster High in the first round. Cerritos finished third in a top-heavy 605 League and had a roller coaster of a season due to injuries and illnesses. The projected starters for Lancaster High are Lacorte, Multani, Macaraeg, Nguyen, and Scammahorn. Ambar Multani, a senior on Cerritos High, leads the team in scoring by nearly 100 points over the next player.
Lancaster High finished third in the Golden League and started the season with 11 consecutive wins before falling to second place Highland High. If they can maintain their form, they could pose a real threat to Cerritos.
Meanwhile, in Division 3A, Gahr High will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs as an at-large representative. The team has been moving up the division ranks over the past few seasons and boasts a starting lineup that includes three seniors, two sophomores, and one junior. Senior Christine Ho began the season as a starter, missed the last tournament in December, and has rejoined the starting lineup.
Gahr High lost their first two games of the season, but won 10 of their next 13 games entering the 2025 calendar year. They have not scored 60 points in their last 10 contests, but their gritty performances have earned them a spot in the playoffs.
La Mirada High, who moved up from Division 5A to Division 4A this season, will also be competing in Division 3A. The team has a group of eight returning players and two varsity rookies this season. Jael Arreguin is the leading scorer for La Mirada High, with Jordin Shaw as the second-leading scorer. Simran Sahota and Nayeli Tamayo have been two of the top bench players for La Mirada High this season.
La Mirada High's record in the Mid-Cities League was 9-1 this season, while their overall record was 16-10. Their top two league losses were to Warren High and La Serna High, both by four points. La Mirada High lost a basket short of playing for a Division 5AA championship last season, so they will be eager to go all the way this time around.
YULA (Yeshiva University of Los Angeles) tied for the top spot in the Independence League, but they enter the playoffs with two straight losses. Their opponent in the first round is yet to be determined, as no definitive outcome can be reported based on the current search data.
Finally, Bishop Amat High will play Whitney in the first round of Division 3A. Whitney has won at least 20 games in the regular season for the first time since the 2018-2019 season, which bodes well for their playoff chances. The team played one of the program's toughest schedules ever, including a one-point loss to Kamiak (WA) High and a loss to Lakewood High by eight points.
The second round games are scheduled for Saturday, February 15. It promises to be an exciting couple of weeks of basketball action in Southern California!
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
- Current News: AfD Achieves 26% - Union Dips to Laschet's Level
