Hesperia Trying to Make Case

Norco and La Puente Bishop Amat, ranked second and fourth in the Southland by The Times, remain undefeated heading into the last week of the regular season.

Also undefeated, but unranked, is Hesperia (23-0). The Scorpions clinched the Mojave River League title on Friday with a 69-56 victory over Hesperia Sultana behind junior Keyanna Johnson’s 29 points and eight steals. Her twin, Kinyada Johnson, scored 18 and had 10 assists.

The Scorpions compete in Division II-AA but have a credibility crisis. Their 23 victories have come against only 15 teams, only two of which were ranked last week in the Southern Section coaches’ poll in their respective divisions.

Hesperia has a victory over Rancho Cucamonga, which was ranked No. 11 in Division I-A, and two victories over San Bernardino Cajon, which is ranked No. 5 in Division II-A.

By comparison, Bishop Amat (26-0) and Norco (24-0) have beaten 21 teams, and each has victories over 13 teams ranked in their divisions.

“The problem is that we haven’t been a top program, so it’s tough to foresee it and get those types of marquee games years ahead of time,” said Athletic Director Darren Goodman. “Next year, we’re already in the Ayala Best of the West tournament because we have people returning and we think we’re going to be good.”

Hesperia, a junior-dominated team this season, is 49-2 the last two seasons, not including Monday’s game against Lake Arrowhead Rim of the World. Its last loss came in the semifinals of the Division II-A playoffs to Brea Olinda, 61-48, in a game in which it trailed by only two points in the third quarter.

In addition to the Johnson twins, Brittany Waddell and Lauren Nichols are juniors who start for the Scorpions, who lose only two seniors, averaging less than four points between them.

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Fullerton Rosary Coach Rich Yoon has to chuckle when it comes to his point guard, Karina Figueroa.

“The knock on her being a Division I player was that she couldn’t shoot,” Yoon said. “She’s averaging 49% (24 of 49) from the three-point line. All the college coaches are telling me they’re kicking themselves, and Long Beach State is telling me that she was a steal for them.”

Figueroa, who scored 20 points two weekends ago against No. 15 Ventura Buena, is averaging 12.4 points, 8.0 assists, 5.6 steals and only 2.3 turnovers.

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With 22 points from Janae White, Mira Loma Jurupa Valley’s 72-68 victory over Riverside Ramona on Friday pulled the Jaguars into a first-place tie in the Sunkist League.

Sharing the league’s top spot with Ramona (19-7, 7-1) with two games left, Jurupa Valley (18-7) could win a share of its first league title in 16 years.

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West Hills Chaminade should have an easy go of it tonight in a Mission League game when it plays Woodland Hills Louisville, and there should be ample dinner conversation afterward between the coaches. Kelli DiMuro coaches at Chaminade (16-8, 7-1), and her husband, Rob DiMuro, coaches at Louisville (2-18, 0-8).

When they played on Jan. 22, Chaminade won, 69-32.