The Canyon Cowboys are continuing their historic postseason run after defeating Victor Valley 67-56 in the second round of the CIF State Division V playoffs Thursday night.

Led by a dominant 41-point performance from senior Isaac Yuhico, the Cowboys secured their second state playoff win in program history and will now advance to the regional semifinals.

Victor Valley, the CIF-Southern Section Division 8 champion, had previously faced Canyon earlier in the season in November, when the Cowboys won comfortably 74-49. This time around, however, the Jackrabbits pushed Canyon much harder before the Cowboys pulled away late.

Victor Valley opened the game by scoring the first basket to take a quick 2-0 lead, but that advantage was short-lived. Benji Avelar quickly answered for Canyon to tie the game at 2-2, and Josiah Toledo followed with a pair of free throws to give the Cowboys their first lead at 4-2.

The Jackrabbits tied the game again at 4-4 before both teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter. With the score tied 13-13 late in the opening frame, Yuhico knocked down a three-pointer to give Canyon a 16-13 lead. 

Isaac Yuhico shoots a three. Gino Salas | KHTS.

From that point forward, the Cowboys maintained the advantage, although Victor Valley remained within striking distance for much of the night.

Yuhico caught fire in the second quarter, continuing to attack the basket and convert at the free-throw line. Canyon gradually extended its lead behind his scoring, going up 29-20 midway through the period and eventually taking a 36-31 lead into halftime.

At the break, Yuhico had already poured in 26 points. Avelar added five points for Canyon, while Toledo and Adam Graham each contributed two.

Alex Lazo guards a Victor Valley player. Gino Salas | KHTS

The Cowboys kept momentum in the third quarter as Yuhico continued to lead the offense. His scoring helped push Canyon’s lead to double digits at several points, including a 51-40 advantage after he knocked down a pair of free throws late in the third quarter.

Despite the deficit, Victor Valley refused to go away quietly and cut into the lead multiple times in the fourth quarter. The Jackrabbits trimmed the margin to 61-55 with just a few minutes remaining, but Canyon responded with key baskets down the stretch.

Yuhico helped seal the victory with a late bucket and an and-one opportunity in the final minute to bring the score to its eventual 67-56 finish.

Following the game, Yuhico said he was thrilled to help the program reach another milestone, especially while sharing the moment with his younger brother Jordan.

“Last game [Jordan] didn’t have the greatest, but today he stepped it up big time. I don’t know if we would have won that game if he didn’t get those steals and the shots he did,” said Yuhico.

He added that Jordan’s impact was even more impressive considering the freshman guard stands just 5-foot-6 and was battling much taller opponents.

“He’s doing all that as a 5’6 freshman getting rebounds over 6’4 seniors,” Yuhico said.

Jordan Yuhico gets a steal from Victor Valley. Gino Sales | KHTS

For Yuhico and the Cowboys, the win was also about proving doubters wrong.

“Everybody wrote us off this year. We were projected to go last in the league, we weren’t supposed to be in the playoffs, we weren’t supposed to win,” said Yuhico. “Being able to make history with this team, win two state playoff games, is awesome.”

Canyon Head Coach Ali Monfared was quick to credit his players for the victory and the work they have put in throughout the season.

“They are the ones you should be talking to,” said Monfared. “Credit to the boys, they did everything tonight…They just really bought in and they deserve all the credit.”

Monfared said the group’s chemistry has made this stretch particularly enjoyable.

“It’s been really fun to just be around this group right now…credit to Victor Valley, they gave us a battle,” he said.

While Yuhico’s 41-point performance stood out, Monfared said the senior guard continues to impress not just with his scoring, but with his overall playmaking.

“It’s not just that he scores, but he scores efficiently and he’s seeing double and triple teams all night,” said Monfared. “The courage to even take those shots and make those plays, let alone how efficiently he does it, is impressive.”

The Cowboys now turn their attention to the next round of the tournament.

With the win, Canyon advances to the CIF State Division V regional semifinals and will travel to face Sylmar on Saturday at 2 p.m. as the Cowboys look to continue their postseason run.

 

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