After placing first in the North Hills/Century league for all teams, boys and girls, our energetic basketball program was ecstatic to find out that the varsity teams had earned a spot in CIF. CIF (formally known as California Interscholastic Federation) games are competitive national games that are held to “strengthen the integrity of students and adults across the state by promoting the concepts of sportsmanship, honesty, and quality academics.” In order to qualify for CIF, a team must place in the top 3 of their league division standings.

Women’s Basketball

Since the Women’s Varsity team’s record was 5-1, they had successfully beat out their competitors by placing first in their division. For the first CIF game on February 19th, the women’s basketball team competed against the Magnolia High School Sentinels, a team who is ranked 1,102 in California. Although the team had a slow start to the game, the Mustangs finished the half with a close lead against the Sentinels. After half-time, the energized Mustangs were led to a 65-43 victory by Holly Salas (11), who scored a whopping 20 points, with 17 of those points just in the 4th quarter. Holly Salas exclaimed that “[I] was so fired up when [I] started scoring that it gave energy to the team that helped [us] become victorious.”

With this win, Yorba Linda was able to move onto the second round of CIF, in which they had to play a previous competitor, El Dorado. On February 21st, Yorba Linda fell short of the rapid pace of the Hawks. In the 3rd quarter, at 4:03, the Hawks were able to stop the Mustangs by holding the score to 12 – 25. Unfortunately, the Mustangs suffered a terrible loss, ending the season with a score of 24 – 51. Despite this misfortune, our women’s varsity team played with much aggressiveness and intensity this season. We wish you the best of luck next season!

Men’s Basketball

After going undefeated in league, there was no question that the Men’s Varsity had made it into CIF. Their first CIF playoff game was scheduled on February 18, in which they had to play against Ramona High School. The slow 1st quarter made the Mustangs lose their lead 5 – 8. However, a spark within the Mustangs allowed them to break the Rams defense and obtain a lead in the game. The Mustangs successfully had a big 2nd quarter with a 31 – 18 lead. Finally, the Mustangs were able to hold that lead against the Rams, ending the game with a 68- 40 victory.

In the second round of CIF, which had been scheduled for February 20th, the Mustangs were paired against the Buena Park Coyotes. A tough competition did not stop the Mustangs from doing their best. To end the 1st quarter, Alex Godoy(12) hit a buzzer beating 3 -pointer, holding a 19 – 12 lead. In the 3rd quarter, with 3:56 left, the Mustangs were hand in hand with the Coyotes, allowing the Coyotes to have a 1 point lead, 30-31. However, in the 4th quarter, the Coyotes made an intense comeback that sent the Mustangs to their defeat, leaving the score to 45-55.

In honor of their hard work, players were given various awards for their contributions to the team. Isaac Douglass (11) was voted MVP of the North Hills League. Alex Godoy(12)  and Eric Hezmalhalch(11) were voted to 1st Team All – League. Josh Miller(11) and Zane Paddon(11) were voted 2nd team All – League.