Local basketball, soccer teams switch gears for CIF playoffs
With the regular season in the books, local boys’ and girls’ basketball and soccer teams will now switch gears and move on to the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Six teams will get the chance to take on some of the top teams and players in their respective divisions, all in hopes of winning a coveted CIF championship.
With Burbank High and Burroughs girls’ water polo starting the playoffs Tuesday, the soccer and basketball squads kick off their postseason beginning Wednesday. One boys’ and one girls’ soccer team, along with two girls’ and two boys’ basketball teams have qualified for the playoffs.
Leading the way is the Providence boys’ basketball squad, which garnered the No. 1 seed in Division III-AA. The Pioneers (22-6) enter the playoffs after capturing their second straight Prep League title.
Last season, Providence advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division IV-A championship game and the team won two games and advanced to the regional semifinals of the state tournament.
In the first round at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Providence will host Lakewood (14-12) or Tustin (18-0), who will play in a wild-card game. The winner will face Portola (17-11; Pacific Coast champion) or Dana Hills (18-8; Sea View League No. 3) in the second round Friday.
The other boys’ basketball team in the playoffs is Burroughs. The Indians (18-10; Pacific League No. 4) will travel to play St. Bonaventure (16-8; Tri-Valley League champion) for a Division III-A first-round game at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
A win in the opener would move on to the second round Friday and take on Adelnto (24-4; Desert Sky League champion) or Ridgecrest Burroughs (13-10; Mojave River League No. 3).
Also in action Wednesday is the Burroughs boys’ soccer team. The Indians (12-7-3; No, 2 Pacific League) will open the Division III postseason at 3 p.m. at Memorial Field.
Burroughs will square off against Montebello (16-5-5; No. 3 Almont League). The winner of the opener will move on to the second round Friday and play Hart (16-2-3; Foothill League champion) or Royal (14-13; Coastal Canyon League No. 3).
In girls’ soccer, Burroughs will take part in a Division IV first-round match at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Indians (13-5-2; No. 3 Pacific League) will take on Hacienda Heights Wilson (10-3-3; Valle Vista League champion).
The winner will advance to the second round on Saturday and face Costa Mesa (12-6-2; Orange Coast League champion) or Godinez (12-7-1; Golden West League No. 3).
Making the playoffs in girls’ basketball with 7 p.m. Thursday first-round games are Burroughs and Providence.
The Indians (22-6; Pacific League No. 2), the No. 4 seed in Division II-A, will hit the road to take on host St. Bonaventure (17-9; Tri-Valley League co-champion). The teams played earlier in the season in a nonleague game, with St. Bonaventure coming away with a 57-51 win to open the season Nov. 23.
Awaiting in the second round Saturday for the winner will be Arroyo Valley (22-5; San Andreas League co-champion) or Lakewood (16-11; Moore League No. 4).
Providence (18-9; Prep League No. 3) will travel for it’s Division III-A first-round match against Pioneer (11-14; tied for second 605 League).
The winner will advance to Saturday’s second round and play West Covina (20-6; tied for second Hacienda League) or Hart (12-12; Foothill League No. 3).