Santa Clarita Sports Report, January 24, 2017. This is your place for Santa Clarita’s 2016/17 Foothill League winter sports. Find all the latest news and updates on your hometown schools here as they compete in the Foothill League, Heritage League, Western State Conference and GSAC.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura, who was found dead after a car wreck this past Sunday.
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Santa Clarita High School Boys Basketball
Tuesday’s Santa Clarita Valley boys basketball schedule
Foothill League Game 5 (tip-off at 6:30):
West Ranch (2-2) vs Golden Valley (3-1)
The Wildcats have gained some confidence after upsetting reigning Foothill League champion Hart and knocking off Canyon on the road last week, while the Grizzlies started 3-0 for the second straight year but were humbled at home by Hart last Friday.
A West Ranch win would force a tie for second-place with the potential for a five-way tie atop the standings.
Valencia (3-1) vs Hart (2-2)*
Valencia has played in a lot of close games this season (5-4 in games decided by seven points or less) and it has payed off in the early going of the Foothill League. The Vikings have a chance to create some distance between themselves and the rest of the league with an upset at Hart, while the Indians are coming off a statement win at Golden Valley.
*KHTS Game of the Night
11 Saugus (2-2) vs Canyon (0-4)
The Centurions have dropped three straight games after close wins over Hart and West Ranch to open the league schedule. Facing Canyon (loser of nine in a row) comes at no better a time, as the Cowboys are still searching for their first league win.
Heritage League (tip-off at 7:30):
Trinity Classical Academy (1-4) vs Guidance Charter
The Knights visit the winless Gators in the lone Heritage game of the evening.
Santa Clarita High School Girls Basketball
Tuesday’s Santa Clarita Valley girls basketball schedule
Foothill League Game 5 (tip-off at 5:00):
11 Valencia (4-0) vs Hart (3-1)
The Foothill League Player of the Year contest is over. It belongs to Kayla Konrad (19.2 points per game, 11.5 rebounds per game) already. The senior has guided the Vikings to seven straight wins and a dramatic come-from-behind victory at Canyon last week. Hart will have its hands full tonight.
Saugus (2-2) vs Canyon (3-1)
The Cowboys are still the second-best team in the Foothill League, and if they take care of business the game at Valencia (2/3) will be for the league title (barring a major upset). However, an upset by Saugus would vault the Centurions into the playoff conversation.
West Ranch (0-4) vs Golden Valley (0-4)
Well, one of these teams will get its first league win Tuesday. The other is playing for pride the rest of the way.
Heritage League (tip-off at 6:15):
Trinity Classical Academy (1-3) vs Guidance Charter
The Knights look to snap their three-game losing streak against the also-struggling Gators.
Santa Clarita High School Boys Soccer
Tuesday’s Santa Clarita Valley boys soccer schedule
Foothill League Game 5 (kickoff at 3:15):
3 Valencia (4-0) vs 4 Hart (3-1)*
These teams seem to be battling for the top spot of the Foothill League every year. Why would this year be any different? Up to Division 3 this season after wining Division 4 in 2016, the Vikings have been simply dominant again. No better evidenced than by the 4-0 dismantling of top challenger Saugus on Friday. Valencia boasts the best scoring offense and best scoring defense in our Valley.
Hart has flown somewhat under the radar this year with the emergence of Saugus, but the Indians have been excellent since the calendar turned to 2017. Hart is 7-1-1 in the month of January (their only loss coming at home to Saugus) and has a huge opportunity to today against their rival Valencia.
*KHTS Match of the Day
Saugus (3-1) vs Canyon (0-3-1)
The Centurions were humbled by a powerful Valencia team, but are still in the hunt for the Foothill Leauge title so long as they take care of business. That means not slipping up against a struggling Canyon side that hasn’t won a match all season.
West Ranch (1-3) vs Golden Valley (0-3-1)
West Ranch has had difficulty finding the back of the net this season (11 goals in 9 matches), but a remedy for that would be to face Golden Valley, the leaders in goals conceded in 2016/17.
Heritage League (kickoff at 3:30):
Santa Clarita Christian (0-1) vs Guidance Charter
The Cardinals are still looking for their first win all year.
Santa Clarita High School Girls Soccer
Tuesday’s Santa Clarita Valley girls soccer schedule
Foothill League Game 5:
Hart (0-0-3) vs Valencia (3-0-1)
Preseason favorite Hart comes into this match unranked for the first time this season. Three straight disappointing draws will do that. If Valencia can grind out a result against the Indians like the rest of the league has been able to do, the Vikings immediately become league favorites and the Indians are left fighting for second place.
Golden Valley (0-3) vs West Ranch (1-0-3)
West Ranch, the other Foothill League unbeaten, has a huge opportunity to stay ahead of Hart and on pace with Valencia with a win over the winless Grizzlies. The Wildcats haven’t conceded more than a goal in a game since January 4th (3-2 win over Simi Valley).
Canyon (1-2-1) vs Saugus (1-1-2)
These teams should put on a highly entertaining and competitive match, as both are squarely in the battle for a playoff spot and each desperately need a win to improve those odds.
Non-league
SCVi (0-2) vs Valley Torah
Albert Einstein Academy (4-3) vs Guidance Charter
KHTS AM-1220 is your place for the 2016/17 winter sports season and the Santa Clarita sports report. If you have any news and notes about our teams to share please send them to jp@hometownstation.com and follow us @KHTSSports on Twitter.