Girls get #1 seed in Open Division


The Sierra Canyon girls basketball team has been included in the Open Division for the 2023 playoffs.

After going 26-0 in the regular season, the Trailblazers have been awarded the No. 1 seed and are expected to meet juggernaut Etiwanda in the Open Division championship game Feb. 25th at Honda Center in Anaheim.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment to not lose a game and we hope to continue our run through the playoffs,” Sierra Canyon head coach Alicia Komaki said. “We have a lot of work to do.”

USC-bound JuJu Watkins, the number 1 ranked player in the country, has been leading the way for Sierra Canyon, averaging close to 30 points per game and 15 rebounds.

Mackenley Randolph and Izela Arenas have been key contributors to help ease the load off Watkins. Randolph is a double-double machine and Arenas has speed and athleticism that is unmatched.

Crystal Wang (headed to Northwestern) and Sofia Ruelas have provided valuable play, as well.

Sierra Canyon opened up with a 74-35 thrashing of Bishop Montgomery last Saturday and has two more pool-play games this week.

The Trailblazers host Ontario Christian and prolific scoring machine Chloe Briggs on Wednesday before taking on Sage Hill of Newport Coast on Saturday.

Sierra Canyon won 29 consecutive games to start the 2019-2019 season before losing to Windward in the SS Open Division final. The Trailblazers rebounded that year to win the Open Division state championship, finishing a remarkable 33-1 overall.