8 Hesperia (24-6): 49

Valencia (14-14): 53

Three weeks ago this team was 8-14.

Now, they are back to .500 and on to the Semifinals to face Division 2A No. 5 Riverside Poly (23-7).

It wasn’t easy by any means, but the Vikings continue to grind out playoff victories. The most recent of which meant overcoming a 29-point effort from Hesperia junior Jaden Shackelford to complete the comeback win on Tuesday night.

Down 31-21 at halftime, Valencia came out draining 3-pointers in the second half to claw their way back into the game. Two by senior Ben Grant, and three by junior Joshua Assiff who has taken ownership of the top scoring option duties with Dexter Akanno limited by injuries (Akanno scored seven points after sitting out Friday’s game with a leg injury).

Assiff kept the game from getting out of hand in the first half (had a 4-point play among his halftime high of 11 points), and brought his team back in the second half. He had a team-high 22 points, the second straight playoff game he has led the Vikings in scoring.

Valencia didn’t even the score until the 3:33 mark in the fourth quarter, but once they did they didn’t look back thanks to lockdown defense. They held Hesperia to seven points in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings now travel out to the Inland Empire for their Semifinal matchup with the Poly Bears. Tip-off is Friday at 7:00.

– Justin Powell, KHTS Sports

8 La Quinta (21-8): 45

2 Santa Clarita Christian (18-9): 86

The Cardinals put on another dominating performance when they dismantled the La Quinta Aztecs at The Master’s University Tuesday night in the Division 5AAA Quarterfinals. It was a second straight 40+ point playoff win.

SCCS controlled the game from start as they jumped to a 24-11 lead in the first quarter. They used their string of 3-point shooting and fast break offense to take a 43-28 lead into halftime.

The Cardinals came out even more aggressive in the second half led by senior Jordan Starr who had 12 points in the third quarter and 22 in the contest to lead SCCS to a commanding 86-45 victory.

SCCS also had strong performances from Caden Starr and Ty Penberthy who had 16 and 15 points in the game.

“We just got to come out and stay strong, keep sharing the ball and keep playing hard on defense. IF we play hard on defense no one will score on us and it will lead to easy buckets,” Jordan Starr said following the SCCS victory.

The Cardinals will take on Bloomington on Friday in a road matchup that is scheduled for 7 pm tipoff. This road marks the first game away from home since Feb. 1 for SCCS where they have an 11-9 record away from Bross Court as opposed to a perfect 7-0 record at home.

– Tanner Nava, KHTS Sports