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    CIF State girls basketball: Previews of Laguna Hills and El Dorado’s finals Friday
    • March 12, 2026

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    CIF STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS

    DIVISION V

    Laguna Hills (21-11) vs. Woodland Christian (32-3) at Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, Friday, 10 a.m.

    TV: Spectrum SportsNet

    Streaming: NFHS Network

    Outlook: Laguna Hills, seeded fourth in Southern California, has advanced to its first state final since 2012 in what veteran coach Jim Martin calls an “unexpected run.” The Hawks edged Tustin 43-42 a playoff game for third place in the Golden West League to earn an automatic entry for the CIF-SS Division 7 playoffs. Laguna Hills’ power rating would not have been high enough for at-large entry.

    In the postseason, Laguna Hills has shown its resilience. The squad won three games by five points or less en route to the Division 7 finals. After a 27-point loss to league foe Kennedy in the section championship, the Hawks knocked off top-seeded and defending Division V champion Rosamond in the regional semifinals. In the regional final, they defeated CIF-SS Division 8 champion Schurr, the school that ousted Laguna Hills in the section quarterfinals last season.

    Laguna Hills is led by sisters Cameron and Keira McDermott. Cameron, who plays point guard, is one of four seniors who starts. She averages 14.1 points. Keira, a sophomore forward, averages 12.5 points. She scored 22 points, including six 3-pointers, in the regional final.

    Laguna Hills has reached its third state final, which ties Woodbridge and Rosary for fourth most in Orange County history. The Hawks finished as the runner-up finish to Bishop O’Dowd in Division III in 2012 and won Division II in 1997 in Anaheim.

    Martin is in his 28th season.

    Woodland Christian, the sixth seed from Northern California, is the defending state Division V champion. The school is located about 30 minutes from Golden 1 Center. The Cardinals are led by sisters Siena and Sofia Sorbello, the daughters of coach Shiloh Sorbello.

    Laguna Hills forward Cameron McDermott, right, take a shot over Schurr forward Marley Diaz in the CIF Southern California Regional Division V girls basketball championship in Laguna Hills on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
    Laguna Hills forward Cameron McDermott, right, take a shot over Schurr forward Marley Diaz in the CIF Southern California Regional Division V girls basketball championship in Laguna Hills on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    DIVISION III

    El Dorado (23-14) vs. Valley Christian of San Jose (16-15), at Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, Friday, 2 p.m.

    TV: Spectrum SportsNet

    Streaming: NFHS Network

    Outlook: The Golden Hawks, the No. 2 seed from Southern California, have reached their first state final to continue a historic postseason. Under fourth-year coach Matt Raya, El Dorado won CIF-SS Division 4 for its first section title since 1976. The squad rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Leuzinger in the regional final.

    El Dorado’s postseason run arrived after narrowly claiming an at-large entry to the section playoffs. The team won its final two games of the regular season to achieve a .500 record and become eligible for an at-large entry. With a strong strength of schedule aided by playing in the Crestview League, El Dorado earned the No. 3 seed in Division 4.

    El Dorado is led by seniors Delaney Shiring, Kennedy Wood and Riley Morikawa.

    Shiring, a versatile forward committed to Pomona-Pitzer, averages 17 points and 8.5 rebounds. Wood, a point guard, averages 10 points and 6.1 assists. Morikawa, a guard, averages 7.9 points after coming off the bench last season.

    Raya’s squad features several freshmen. The former Rosary assistant coach has retooled the roster after graduation last year and a few departures.

    The playoffs have been special for Raya, an alumnus of El Dorado. His brother Gary was El Dorado’s girls basketball coach and assistant boys coach before he died in 1995 at age 29 of a heart issue. The gym at El Dorado is named after the boys’ late father Joe Raya, the Golden Hawks’ former equipment and maintenance manager who also served as an athletic trainer and school custodian.

    Valley Christian, the fourth seed from Northern California, is led by senior point guard Kenedi Nomura. The Warriors are part of the West Catholic League, which includes Open Division finalist and state powerhouse Archbishop Mitty. Valley Christian finished fifth in the league.

     Orange County Register 

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