Sierra Canyon back in Open Division state regional final for second time in three years
By Jacob H. Pollon
The Sierra Canyon girls basketball team is back in familiar territory after a one-year hiatus.
The Trailblazers advanced to the state Open Division regional championship game after a wild 76-69 victory against Ontario Christian on Saturday night.
Sierra Canyon will play arch-nemesis Etiwanda Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Rancho Cucamonga. The winner will play for the state championship at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Jerzy Robinson score 29 points, McDonald’s All-American Mackenly Randolph scored 19 points and Izela Arenas had 17 to lead Sierra Canyon (31-2).
It took a total team effort to come away with the win and hold off fantastic freshman Kaleena “Special K” Smith.
Smith scored 35 points, including eight 3-pointers in a gargantuan effort for the Knights (28-5).
Ontario Christian punched the Trailblazers in their mouth and led 29-17 in the first half before Sierra Canyon responded with a 13-0 run and took a 30-29 lead at halftime.
Ontario Christian splurged ahead again, behind Smith and Amanda Abojiewe.
Sierra Canyon was finally able to create separation in the fourth quarter. Robinson and Randolph were too tough in the paint.
Now, the Trailblazers turn their attention to Etiwanda for a sixth meeting in the last three years.