After a series of tournaments over the holiday season, teams are gearing up to return to league play next week. Here’s a recap of the Foothill League’s most recent girls’ basketball games, along with a preview of their upcoming opponents.

Canyon (9-9, 3-0):

The Cowboys recently faced a series of tough matchups, including games against Rio Mesa, Oxnard, and Buena Park.

On Dec. 27, 2024, the Cowboys secured a victory over Rio Mesa with a final score of 66-54. 

Canyon delivered a strong performance against Rio Mesa, securing a victory with contributions across the roster. They scored a total of 66 points, making 29 of 57 field goal attempts for an impressive 51% shooting accuracy. 

Factoring in the value of three-point shots, their adjusted field goal percentage reached 54%. Freshman standout Darby Dunn led the team with 26 points, shooting 50% from the field. Junior Shannen Wilson added  12 points on six attempts, while sophomore Brooke Phillips made significant contributions with 8 points on 67% shooting accuracy.

From beyond the arc, Canyon struggled, connecting on only 4 of 18 attempts for a 22% three-point shooting percentage. At the free-throw line, the team converted 4 of 12 attempts, finishing with a free-throw percentage of 33%. Despite challenges in these areas, their overall scoring efficiency proved sufficient to secure the win.

Rebounding was a key factor in Canyon’s success, as they totaled 42 rebounds, including 17 offensive and 25 defensive boards. Dunn led the team with 12 rebounds, showcasing her ability to control the glass. Senior Jasmine Williams contributed 10 rebounds, while Phillips added seven.

The team recorded 18 steals on defense, highlighting their active and aggressive approach. Dunn led this effort with eight steals, while Williams added another four. The team also managed three blocks, further solidifying their defensive presence.

This win was a testament to their determination and teamwork, setting a positive tone for the day. However, later that evening, they faced Oxnard in a challenging game that ended in a 63-55 loss. 

The following day, Canyon took on Buena Park, where they struggled against a high-scoring opponent and ultimately lost 93-70. Buena Park’s Gloria Barrera dominated with 39 points and nine rebounds, leading her team to victory. For Canyon, Darby Dunn once again demonstrated her scoring prowess, putting up 33 points and grabbing five rebounds, accounting for nearly half of the team’s points. 

Looking ahead, the Cowboys will host Valencia on Jan. 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. This upcoming game offers Canyon an opportunity to bounce back from recent setbacks and strengthen their overall record. As a league opponent, Valencia is expected to provide a competitive challenge. 

Hart (11-5, 3-0):

The Hart girls’ basketball team delivered a commanding 53-36 victory against Highland on Dec. 30, 2024, demonstrating excellent teamwork and individual performances.

Hart’s offense was led by senior Emery Eav, who scored 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting, with an effective field goal percentage of 47%. Junior Faith Purfoy added 13 points while shooting 50% from the field, and senior Andrea Aina contributed 11 points, shooting 38%. 

From beyond the arc, Hart demonstrated efficiency, converting 7 of 19 attempts for a 37% three-point shooting mark. Purfoy and Morgan Mack led the three-point effort, each hitting 50% of their attempts. On the free-throw line, the Hawks were solid, making 2 of 4 attempts (50%).

Defensively, Hart dominated the boards with a total of 43 rebounds, including 12 offensive boards. Purfoy and Mack stood out with 10 rebounds each, showcasing their presence in the paint. The team also tallied seven steals and seven assists, with Eav contributing three assists.

Next, the Hawks are set to host St. Monica on Jan. 4 at 1:30 PM. 

Valencia (15-2, 3-1):

The Valencia girls basketball team delivered a dominant performance, defeating Temple City 62-37. 

The team shot 35% from the field, with 23 successful field goals out of 66 attempts. Junior Cara Mckell led the scoring with 21 points. Freshman Kamilla Basyrova added 19 points with, while sophomore Keira McLaughlin finished with eight points, shooting 31%. 

The Vikings also showcased impressive shooting from the free-throw line, converting 91% of their attempts, with 18 assists and 12 steals. 

Defensively, Valencia controlled the glass with 49 rebounds, including 29 defensive rebounds. The team also limited Temple City’s offensive opportunities, registering four blocks and forcing nine turnovers. The combination of stellar defense and efficient offense resulted in a decisive victory.

Looking ahead, the Vikings face a tough challenge in their next game as they prepare to take on Chaminade on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Castaic (5-7, 1-2):

Castaic’s girls’ basketball team faced off against Trinity Classical Academy on Dec. 20, suffering a tough 77-33 loss. 

Senior Alana Clark was a standout player, contributing 28 points while shooting 52%. Harmony Winslow also made an impact, adding four points. The team shot a collective 26% from the field, struggling in their offensive and defensive plays.

Looking ahead, Castaic will travel to Grant on Saturday, Jan. 4, for their next game, hoping to bounce back and improve on their record.

Saugus (7-8, 1-3):

Saugus Girls’ Basketball recently faced off against Village Christian, but despite their efforts, they fell short with a 40-26 loss. 

The game was competitive early on, as Village Christian held a slight 10-8 lead after the first quarter. However, they extended their advantage in the second and third periods, eventually securing the win with a strong finish in the second half. Saugus struggled offensively, managing only 26 points across four quarters.

Looking ahead, Saugus will take on Heritage Christian in their next matchup. The team will need to regroup and focus on improving their scoring and defensive strategies to turn the tide in their favor.

West Ranch (8-7, 1-3):

In their recent game, the West Ranch Wildcats faced a tough challenge against Royal, ultimately losing 37-18. Despite a strong effort, West Ranch struggled to keep pace with their opponents. The team will now shift focus to their upcoming matchup against Agoura on Jan. 4. This game presents an opportunity for the Wildcats to bounce back and regain momentum. With their overall season record currently at 8-7, West Ranch will aim to improve their standing and build confidence as league play continues.

Golden Valley (4-9, 0-3):

Golden Valley High School’s girls’ basketball team recently faced a tough opponent in Panorama, resulting in a 67-20 loss. This setback brings their overall season record to 4-9, with a 0-3 record in the Foothill League, placing them seventh in the league standings.

Despite the loss, several players showed strong performances. Krysta Ezenwa led the team with 11 points, shooting 65% from the field, and also pulled down 11 rebounds in 23 minutes of play. Janice Orantes contributed 8 points, shooting 44% from the field, while also adding five rebounds in 18 minutes. Jaia Bryant chipped in with 5 points, shooting 50% from the field, along with two rebounds in 10 minutes of action.

As a team, the Grizzlies shot 49% from the field but struggled with their three-point shooting, making just 2 of 15 attempts (13%). Their free-throw shooting also posed a challenge, converting only 4 of 10 attempts (40%). On the defensive end, the team grabbed 47 rebounds, made 12 assists, and recorded 11 steals, but turnovers and fouls proved to be obstacles in their performance.

Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are preparing for their next game against the Saugus Centurions. Saugus currently holds a 6-7 overall record and a 1-2 record in the Foothill League, placing them fifth in the league standings. The Centurions will present a tough challenge, with players who are averaging double-digit points and leading the team in assists.

For Golden Valley, improving their perimeter shooting and free-throw percentage will be essential for success. Additionally, focusing on defense, reducing turnovers, and maintaining strong rebounding efforts—highlighted by the performances of Ezenwa and Orantes—will be crucial in competing with Saugus. This upcoming game offers an opportunity for the Grizzlies to bounce back from their loss and earn their first league win of the season. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they work toward a crucial victory.

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