Foothill League rivals are set to face off with the title on the line in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA championship game.
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Division 1AA No. 1 Valencia punched its ticket to the title game by stifling Oaks Christian, 56-34 on Saturday night at Valencia High School. The Vikings (26-5) have been the division’s most consistent team with the division’s most consistent performer, Kayla Konrad (top scorer in school history).
The win marked four straight double-digit playoff victories for head coach Jerry Mike’s Vikings and their sixth consecutive win overall. Valencia’s last loss? February 3 at home to Canyon, 64-48.
No. 7 Canyon secured its title berth by overcoming St. Anthony in the final minutes Saturday for a 62-58 victory. squad that was ranked in the top 60 schools in the state. Senior Alaina Garcia came through with clutch baskets down the stretch for the Cowboys, leading the team with 21 points (5-for-10).
Thanks to Canyon’s win over Valencia earlier this month, the Cowboys come into the title game riding a seven-game winning streak, a slightly hotter streak than their rivals.
This will be the fourth meeting between these two teams this season, a rarity in high school rivlaries. The first two games of this rivalry were decided by three points total, with both going to Valencia; the first, a 46-45 Burroughs Tournament championship game win, and the second a 47-45 Foothill League triumph on Canyon’s home court.
Game three was much more convincing, however, with the Cowboys leading throughout in a 64-48 rout at Valencia.
It’s as even a rivalry championship matchup could be.
UPDATE (2/27 10:20 AM): the Final will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday, March 4. Tickets can be purchased by pre-sale at the schools or at the door on Saturday.
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