Top stars, best performances last week in Northern California high school basketball (Feb. 28 - March 6)

Lead photo by Jim Malone

It's finally regional/state championship week in California high school basketball, which means last week was the second-to-last week of the season. Throughout NorCal last week – in the first of the state playoffs – it was mostly the same stars stepping up who we've seen dominate all season long.

Here's a look at the top performers in high school boys and girls basketball last week (Feb. 21-27) throughout Northern California. Note that all playoff games referenced were part of the CIF State/Northern Regional playoffs, and a Regional championship game is also the same thing as a State semifinal.

Note: Entries are based on information provided by coaches, statisticians, media members and high school basketball fans. Don’t see any details for your team’s game? Email some stats to lance@scorebooklive.com.

GIRLS BASKETBALL:

Nicole Steiner, Los Altos C:

Steiner went off to lift the Wildcats over Lick-Wilmerding 52-51 in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs, going for a career-high 25 points and 22 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Mary Carter, Antelope F:

In the first two rounds of the Division 2 playoffs, Carter averaged 32 points, 15.5 rebounds, four assists, and 3.5 blocks per game on 60% shooting (64.3% EFG) for the Titans, who are in the Regional finals.

Renaissance Johnson, Weed C:

Johnson averaged 28.5 PPG in the first two rounds of the Division 6 Regional playoffs to get the Cougars into the championship game.

Hannah Golan, Branson F:

Golan led the Bulls to the Division 4 Regional finals averaging 23 points and 12.7 rebounds per game through their three wins.

Gabbie Gascon, Argonaut G:

Gascon scored 22 points in Argonaut's Regional semifinal win against Mills.

Brianna Humphrees, Dixon F:

Humphrees led the Rams to a 58-46 State playoff win against Chico with 15 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, two assists, and three steals on 7-13 shooting.

Valentina Saric, Priory F:

Saric totaled 28 points, six rebounds, and two assists on 8-16 shooting (6-11 3FG) in a first round win over Clovis.

Gracie Williams, Valley Christian (Roseville) G:

Williams scored 28 points to help lead the Lions past South Fork 90-60 in the Division 6 Regional semifinals.

Mariah Contreras, Valley Christian (Roseville) G:

Contreras had 27 points for Valley Christian in their semifinal win.

Meadow Roland, San Joaquin Memorial F:

Roland led the Panthers to the Division 2 Regional finals averaging 21 points, 8.3 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals per game on 51% EFG.

Ahhray Young, Laguna Creek G:

Young had 24 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, and two blocks in a 62-60 first round win against Saint Francis (Mountain View). Zoe Tillery had 24 points as well for the Cardinals.

Sydney Stewart, Saint Francis (Mountain View) C:

Despite the Lancers' loss, Stewart was dominant with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals on 11-18 shooting.

Giselle Rodriguez, Fall River F:

Rodriguez went off for 29 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals on 14-20 shooting to help lead the Bulldogs to a rout of Sacramento Adventist in the Division 6 Regional semifinals.

Mercedes Humphreys, Fall River G:

Humphreys scored 19 points on 8-11 shooting and notched seven rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.

Silvia Fonongaloa, Salesian C:

Fonongaloa averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game in the Pride's Regional quarterfinals and semifinals victories. Makiah Asidanya also had a big week for Salesian.

Morgan Cheli, Archbishop Mitty F:

Cheli helped lead the Monarchs to the Open Division Regional finals averaging 18 points, 8.5 rebounds, three assists, and 2.5 steals per game on 60.9% shooting (67.4% EFG).

Maile Bateman, Crystal Springs Uplands G:

Bateman averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and 3.5 steals per game on 50% shooting (55.4% EFG) to help lead the Gryphons to the Division 5 Regional semifinals.

Jemma Lacap, Crystal Springs Uplands G:

Lacap averaged 18 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG in the Gryphons' three Regional playoff games, and scored a team-high 22 points in their narrow semifinals loss to San Domenico.

Kiki Afeaki, Capuchino C:

Afeaki had 19 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks in Capuchino's Division 3 Regional semifinal win against Enterprise. Hailey Hoff and Arianna Jordan also had big games for the Mustangs.

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Noah Thomas, Pleasant Valley (Chico) G:

Thomas had the best week of his career to lead the Vikings to the Division 3 Regional semifinals averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on a whopping 66.7% shooting and 71.4% EFG.

Ameere Britton, Elk Grove G:

Britton averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game on 55.6% shooting (61.1% EFG) to get the Thundering Herd to the Division 2 State semifinals.

Aidan Braccia, Sacred Heart Prep G:

Braccia averaged 26.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game on 50% shooting (64.3% EFG) to lead the Gators to a 2-1 record in the Division 1 state playoffs.

Drew Vizenor, St. Bernard's G:

Vizenor led the Crusaders, who are in the Division 6 Regional finals, with 26 points in their first-round State victory against Elliot Christian.

Tayo Sobomehin, Priory G:

Sobomehin had 21 points, six steals, and four assists in the Panthers' Regional quarterfinals win over Denair, and 20 points to beat Cloverdale in the Regional semis.

Aidan Mahaney, Campolindo G:

Mahaney had 24 points and three assists to lead the Cougars to a 66-42 Open Division Regional Semifinals win against Archbishop Riordan.