Etiwanda holds off Sierra Canyon for CIF Southern California Regional Open Division championship – Live updates
After two postseasons of splitting playoff meetings with the Trailblazers, Etiwanda is over the hump against Sierra Canyon. And back in the CIF State Open Division finals, where it'll face Archbishop Mitty for the second year in a row.
With a 54-51 win on Tuesday, the Eagles became the first Southern Section team in six years to parlay an Open Division section title into a regional title in the same season.
Grace Knox led Etiwanda with 17 points in a tense game the Eagles never led by more than eight points. Aliyahna "Puff" Morris had 12, Arynn Finley scored all 10 of her points in the first half, and Kennedy Smith added seven for Etiwanda.
Sierra Canyon sophomore Jerzy Robinson led all scorers with 25 points, Emilia Krstevski totaled 14 points, and Mackenly Randolph scored 10.
Pregame: It's time for another installment of the most exciting postseason rivalry in Southern California girls basketball. For the sixth time in three seasons, high school hoops fans will tune in from across the Southland – and country – on Tuesday to watch Etiwanda and Sierra Canyon play for an Open Division championship. This time, reigning CIF Southern Region and State champion Etiwanda is the favorite after beating Sierra Canyon 65-44 in the Southern Section finals. That win moved the Eagles to 3-2 in the matchup during this three-year stretch. 5-star McDonalds All-Americans Kennedy Smith (Etiwanda – USC) and Mackenly Randolph (Sierra Canyon – Louisville) will be two of many national recruits in action.
Etiwanda vs. Sierra Canyon in the CIF Southern Section Open Division girls basketball final at Cal Baptist University on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.
Photo by Andy Holzman
WATCH ON NFHS: LINK TO GAME
More: All State Playoff Brackets
Final scoring:
ETIWANDA – Grace Knox: 17 points; Aliyahna "Puff" Morris: 12 points; Arynn Finley: 10 points; Kennedy Smith: 7 points; Shaena Brew: 5 points; Mykelle Richards: 3 points.
SIERRA CANYON – Jerzy Robinson: 25 points; Emilia Krstevski: 14 points; Mackenly Randolph: 10 points; Izela Arenas: 2 points.
FOURTH QUARTER UPDATES
End of game: Etiwanda wins 54-51.
1:54: Sierra Canyon trails 49-46 with possession.
6:55: Sierra Canyon ties the game at 40 on a Jerzy Robinson layup.
THIRD QUARTER UPDATES
End of third quarter: Sierra Canyon cuts the deficit to 40-38 on an Emilia Krstevski put-back.
2:49: Etiwanda's lead surges back up to 40-32 on a three-point play from Grace Knox.
Halftime scoring:
ETIWANDA – Arynn Finley: 10 points; Aliyahna "Puff" Morris: 9 points; Grace Knox: 5 points; Shaena Brew: 5 points.
SIERRA CANYON – Jerzy Robinson: 12 points; Emilia Krstevski: 8 points; Mackenly Randolph: 4 points.
SECOND QUARTER UPDATES
End of second quarter: Etiwanda leads 29-24.
5:21: Etiwanda leads 24-14. Trailblazer timeout.
FIRST QUARTER UPDATES
End of first quarter: Game is tied at 14-14.
5:09: Sierra Canyon leads 7-0, and Etiwanda calls a timeout.
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