CIF-SS girls basketball playoffs — High Desert teams, players to watch

There’s no question about who sets the standard in the High Desert when it comes to girls basketball.

Oak Hills has owned that role and heads into the CIF-Southern Section girls basketball playoffs firmly planted as the area’s top team. The Bulldogs are 21-5 with four of their losses by fewer than 10 points. 

The Bulldogs drew a spot in the Division 1 bracket and are looking to replicate last year’s deep run which ended in the semifinals. 

Bella Rincon leads Oak Hills and has been one of the area’s most complete players, averaging 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. She’s supported by a balanced core that includes sharpshooter Carla Rodriguez, averaging 13 points a game with 97 three-pointers to her credit. With experience, scoring depth and defensive pressure, Oak Hills looks poised for a deep run in such a stacked bracket led by No. 1 seed Ventura. 

CIF-SS boys soccer playoffs: High Desert teams and players to watch

The Division 4 bracket features three of the High Desert’s most complete teams, including Silverado, which is coming off an unbeaten run to the Desert Sky League title. 

Silverado (18-10) enters the playoffs with one of the area’s most physical lineups, with not one senior as its top players. 

Sophomore Alohilani Atimua has been outstanding, averaging 17.9 points while filling up the stat sheet. The Hawks also have three players averaging double-doubles Ce Ce Scott (13.3 points and 11.4 rebounds), Roneja Craig (11.3 points and 10.4 rebounds) and freshman Lonii Downey (11 points and 12.3 rebounds). 

Hesperia Christian enters the Division 4 playoffs with a 21-3 record led by Peyton Houlemard and Hannah Audet. 

Houlemard, who averages 17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.2 steals per game, impacts both ends of the court and sets the tone. Audet fills the stat sheet with an average of 9.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 steals and 3.2 assists per game. 

Hesperia rounds out the third local team in the Division 4 bracket led by Paris Leonard who leads the Scorpions at 15.3 points per game, paired with a senior-heavy lineup. The Scorpions enter 18-10 and will be paired against Hesperia Christian in the second round if both teams escape the opening round. 

Silver Valley, which battled with Hesperia Christian for the Cross Valley League title, drew a spot in the Division 6 bracket led by one of the top scorers in the state. Naomi Durrah, a sophomore, averages 32.1 points per game, which is third highest in California, according to MaxPreps.com. 

From top to bottom, the High Desert is well represented with a mix of experience and balance among the 13 teams which received playoff berths. Here’s our list of High Desert girls basketball players to keep an eye on as the playoffs begin Thursday, including season stat averages for each team’s top scorer. 

Division 1

Oak Hills (21-5) vs. Mira Costa (14-12)

• Oak Hills’ top scorer — Bella Rincon, senior (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals). 
• Oak Hills’ key players — Carla Rodriguez, senior; Kahlis Carlton, sophomore; Samantha Santiago, senior; Yasmine Green, senior. 

Division 4

Hesperia Christian (21-3) vs. Westlake (16-10)

• Hesperia Christian’s top scorer — Peyton Houlemard, senior (17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.2 steals, 2 assists).
• Hesperia Christian’s key players — Bella Martinez, senior; Charli Lewis, sophomore; Gabrielle Martinez, freshman; Hannah Audet, senior.

Hesperia (18-8) at Wilson (20-8)

• Hesperia’s top scorer — Paris Leonard, sophomore (15.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 steals, 2 assists).
• Hesperia’s key players — Annabel Sanchez, senior; Brooke Seeger, senior; Jayonna Waller, senior; Paige Harralson, senior.

Silverado (18-10) at Holy Martyrs (16-9)

• Silverado’s top scorer — Alohilani Atimua, sophomore (17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.4 steals, 1.5 blocks). 
• Silverado’s key players — Ce Ce Scott, junior;  Lonii Downey, freshman; Roneja Craig, sophomore. 

Division 6 

Silver Valley (19-6) at Valley Christian (19-6)

• Silver Valley’s top scorer — Naomi Durrah, sophomore (32.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.8 steals, 3.4 assists).
• Silver Valley’s key players — Aubrey White, senior; Lyric White, sophomore; Sydney Trotter, senior; Serwaah Sarpong, senior. 

Division 7 

Barstow (15-13) vs. Coastal Charter (9-4)

• Barstow’s top scorer — Emily Franco, junior (12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.3 assists).
• Barstow’s key players — Cera Hoody, junior; MiYanna Ruffin, senior; Vida Pacheco, freshman. 

Lucerne Valley (18-10) at Foothill Tech (11-10)

• Lucerne Valley’s top scorer — Amaya Kelly, senior (10.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.8 steals).
• Lucerne Valley’s key players — Jasmine Pepper, junior; Vivyanna Alvarado, senior.

Division 8

Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy (7-6) vs. Excelsior (15-7) 

• Cobalt’s top scorer — Camila Macedonio, freshman (14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals).
• Cobalt’s key players — Mia Caprio, freshman; Michelle Otuonye, junior.
• Excelsior’s top players — Jazynda Juneau, senior (19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 1.8 assists); Jordynn Harrison, freshman (19.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 4 steals). 
• Excelsior’s key players — Giselle Gonzalez, senior; Nevaeh Lopez, senior.

University Prep (10-12) at Anaheim (7-9)

• University Prep’s top scorer — Aubrey Dimapasok, junior (12.3 points).
• University Prep’s key players — Briseis Vargas, senior; Camila Zapeta, junior; Peace Adewumi, sophomore.

Victor Valley (7-15) vs. Hamilton (9-12)

• Victor Valley’s top scorer — Eris Roberts, senior (11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2 steals).
• Victor Valley’s key players — Arnetta Ealy Newton, junior; Eden Roberts, senior; Kimora Love, senior.

Division 9

• Lakeview Leadership Academy (5-7) at San Gabriel (11-13)
• Lakeview Leadership Academy’s top scorer — Emani Casillas, freshman (18 points).

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert girls basketball — Teams, players to watch in CIF-SS playoffs