Category Archives: playoffs

High school basketball: Southern Section playoff pairings

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High School Basketball Southern Section Playoffs

Boys First Round – Wednesday

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.

Open Division

Pool A: #9 Crespi at #1 Sierra Canyon
Pool B: #10 Damien at #2 Santa Margarita
Pool C: #11 Etiwanda at #3 Redondo Union
Pool D: #12 La Mirada at #4 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
Other seeds: #5 St. John Bosco, #6 Corona Centennial, #7 Harvard-Westlake, #8 Corona del Mar

Note: Second-round pool-play games Friday; Third-round games Feb. 17

Division 1

  • Santa Barbara at #1 Crean Lutheran
  • Corona Santiago at #16 Heritage Christian
  • Newport Beach Pacifica Christian at #9 Village Christian
  • Oaks Christian at #8 Mira Costa
  • Windward at #5 Bishop Montgomery
  • Thousand Oaks at #12 Millikan
  • Cypress at #13 San Gabriel Academy
  • Rancho Christian at #4 St. Francis
  • Tesoro at #3 Inglewood
  • St. Bernard at #14 La Habra
  • Fairmont Prep at #11 Crossroads
  • Long Beach Poly at #6 Brentwood
  • St. Monica at #7 Rolling Hills Prep
  • Orange Lutheran at #10 Arcadia
  • Loyola at #15 Los Alamitos
  • Pasadena at #2 JSerra

Division 2

  • La Serna at #1 Bishop Amat
  • Mayfair at #16 Chino Hills
  • Oxnard at #9 North Torrance
  • Silverado at #8 Anaheim Canyon
  • Santa Monica at #5 Eastvale Roosevelt
  • Maranatha at #12 Servite
  • Edison at #13 Esperanza
  • Valencia at #4 Beverly Hills
  • Providence at #3 Mater Dei
  • Burbank at #14 Westlake
  • Fountain Valley at #11 El Dorado
  • Leuzinger at #6 St. Anthony
  • Great Oak at #7 Rancho Verde
  • Calabasas at #10 San Marcos
  • Sonora at #15 Elsinore
  • San Clemente at #2 Hesperia

Division 3

  • S

    • an Marino at #1 Milken

  • Villa Park at #16 Ontario Christian
  • Oak Park at #9 Temecula Valley
  • Viewpoint at #8 Murrieta Mesa
  • Long Beach Wilson at #5 Riverside King
  • Warren at #12 Camarillo
  • Los Altos at #13 Palos Verdes
  • Golden Valley at #4 Oak Hills
  • Santa Monica Pacifica Christian at #3 Alta Loma
  • Ayala at #14 Crescenta Valley
  • Portola at #11 Glendora
  • Aliso Niguel at #6 Newport Harbor
  • Knight at #7 Aquinas La Salle
  • La Canada at #10 Gahr
  • La Canada at #15 Woodbridge
  • Eastside at #2 Redlands East Valley

Division 4

  • Malibu at #1 Bonita
  • Palm Desert at #16 Blair
  • Chino at #9 Trabuco Hills
  • Culver City at #8 Saugus
  • Godinez at #5 Moorpark
  • Downey at #12 Norte Vista
  • Flintridge Prep at Cathedral
  • Holy Martyrs at #4 Summit
  • Capistrano Valley Christian at #3 Shalhevet
  • Pioneer at #14 Palm Springs
  • Long Beach Jordan at #11 Los Amigos
  • Cantwell-Sacred Heart at #6 Torrance
  • Beckman at #7 Colony
  • Citrus Hill at #10 South Torrance
  • Santa Paula at #15 Corona
  • Hart at #2 Walnut

Division 5

  • Diamond Ranch at #1 Gardena Serra
  • Valley Torah at #16 Northwood
  • Temescal Canyon at #9 California
  • Rancho Mirage at #8 Bishop Diego
  • Beaumont at #5 Keppel
  • Oakwood at #12 San Bernardino
  • Adelanto at #13 Cerritos
  • Vasquez at #4 Sierra Vista
  • Pilibos at #3 Tustin
  • Charter Oak at #14 Quartz Hill
  • Temple City at #11 Hacienda Heights
  • Wilson
  • Indian Springs at #6 Brea Olinda
  • Arrowhead Christian at #7 San Juan Hills
  • Diamond Bar at #10 Verbum Dei
  • Apple Valley at #15 San Juan Hills
  • Irvine at #2 Calvary Baptist

Division 6

  • Palmdale Aerospace at #1 Hemet
  • Placentia Valencia at #16 Vistamar
  • Western at #9 St. Bonaventure
  • Highland at #8 Paloma Valley
  • Grace at #5 Pasadena Poly
  • Fillmore at #12 Ramona
  • Ontario at #13 Fontana
  • Oxford Academy at #4 Montclair
  • Laguna Hills at #3 Temecula Prep
  • Foothill Tech at #14 Carter
  • Cajon at #11 Orange Vista
  • Valley View at #6 Chadwick
  • Eisenhower at #7 Santa Clara
  • Santa Fe at #10 Buckley
  • La Palma Kennedy at #15 Moreno Valley
  • Ocean View at #2 Troy

Division 7

  • Azusa at #1 Tahquitz
  • Summit Leadership at #16 Vista del Lago
  • Anaheim at #9 Gabrielino
  • Bell Gardens at #8 Canyon Country Canyon
  • Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian at #5 Salesian
  • Westminster La Quinta at #12 CSDR
  • Channel Islands at #13 YULA
  • Webb at #4 Thacher
  • Riverside Notre Dame at #3 Garden Grove
  • Faith Baptist at #14 San Fernando Valley Academy
  • La Puente at #11 Norwalk
  • Arroyo at #6 Rowland
  • Rosemead at #7 Desert Chapel
  • Santa Rosa Academy at #10 CAMS
  • Estancia at #15 Segerstrom
  • Schurr at #2 Rialto

Division 8

  • Newport Christian at #1 Excelsior Charter
  • Redlands Adventist at #16 Hawthorne
  • MSA Banning at #9 Bolsa Grande
  • Twentynine Palms at #8 Riverside Prep
  • Rubidoux at #5 Victor Valley
  • Sequoyah at #12 Trinity Classical Academy
  • Loara at #13 Palm Valley
  • Santa Ana at #4 Barstow
  • Desert Hot Springs at #3 Desert Christian Academy
  • Tarbut V’ Torah at #14 South El Monte
  • Rancho Alamitos at #11 Silver Valley
  • Packinghouse Christian at #6 Coastal Christian
  • Western Christian at #7 Big Bear
  • Duarte at #10 Edgewood
  • Dunn at #15 Animo Leadership
  • Rim of the World at #2 San Gabriel

Division 9

  • Coast Union at #1 Bassett
  • Sherman Indian at #16 Maricopa
  • Public Safety Academy at #9 Newbury Park Adventist
  • Hesperia Christian at #8 Colton
  • Glendale Adventist at #5 Santa Maria Valley Christian
  • Mesa Grande at #12 Long Beach First Baptist
  • Crossroads Christian at #13 Loma Linda Academy
  • Coachella Valley at #4 San Jacinto
  • Valley Grove School at #3 Joshua Springs
  • Samueli Academy at #14 Lakeview Academy
  • Magnolia Science at #11 Santa Ana Valley
  • NOVA Academy at #6 Santa Barbara Providence
  • New Covenant at #7 Cal Lutheran Pacific
  • Pacific at #10 Acaciawood Academy
  • Ambassador Christian at #15 Mesrobian
  • Compton Early College at #2 ACE

Second-round games Friday

Girls First Round – Thursday

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.

Open Division

Pool A: #9 Rancho Christian at #1 Ontario Christian
Pool B: #10 Fairmont Prep at #2 Etiwanda
Pool C: #11 Oak Park at #3 Sierra Canyon
Pool D: #12 Redondo Union at #4 Sage Hill
Other seeds: #5 Mater Dei, #6 Corona Centennial, #7 Lakewood St. Joseph, #8 JSerra

Note: Second-round pool-play games Saturday; Third-round games Feb. 18

Division 1

  • Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at #1 Ventura
  • Bishop Montgomery at #16 Harvard-Westlake
  • Windward at #9 North Torrance
  • Rialto at #8 Flintridge Prep
  • Chino at #5 Valencia
  • Mira Costa at #12 Oak Hills
  • Troy at #13 Los Osos
  • Alemany at #4 Brentwood
  • Village Christian at #3 Moreno Valley
  • St. Bonaventure at #14 Thousand Oaks
  • Marlborough at #11 Beckman
  • West Torrance at #6 Orange Lutheran
  • Palos Verdes at #7 Villa Park
  • Santa Margarita at #10 Esperanza
  • St. Anthony at #15 Oaks Christian
  • Buena Park at #2 La Salle

Division 2

  • Los Altos at #1 Glendora
  • Portola at #16 Paramount
  • Claremont at #9 Saugus
  • Heritage at #8 Chaparral
  • Bonita at #5 Yucaipa
  • Campbell Hall at #12 Summit
  • Camarillo at #13 South Torrance
  • Crossroads at #4 Rancho Cucamonga
  • Hacienda Heights Wilson at #3 Crescenta Valley
  • Gardena Serra at #14 Chino Hills
  • San Marcos at #11 San Clemente
  • Sonora at #6 Rolling Hills Prep
  • Newport Beach Pacifica Christian at #7 San Juan Hills
  • Dos Pueblos at #10 Los Alamitos
  • Riverside King at #15 Murrieta Mesa
  • Trinity Classical Academy at #2 Rosary Academy

Division 3

  • El Toro at #1 Lynwood
  • Murrieta Valley at #16 Cerritos
  • Arcadia at #9 Bishop Amat
  • CSDR at #8 St. Monica
  • South Hills at #5 Segerstrom
  • La Serna at #12 Trabuco Hills
  • Rio Mesa at #13 Aliso Niguel
  • Cypress at #4 Oxnard
  • El Modena at #3 Aquinas
  • Downey at #14 Keppel
  • Ramona at #11 Shadow Hills
  • Lawndale at #6 Leuzinger
  • San Dimas at #7 St. Margaret’s
  • Arrowhead Christian at #10 Riverside Poly
  • Canyon Country Canyon at #15 Vista Murrieta
  • Huntington Beach at #2 Wiseburn-Da Vinci

Division 4

  • Eastvale Roosevelt at #1 Long Beach Jordan
  • Lancaster at #16 South Pasadena
  • Viewpoint at #9 La Canada
  • Quartz Hill at #8 Yorba Linda
  • Xavier Prep at #5 Eastside
  • Gabrielino at #12 Beaumont
  • Anaheim Canyon at #13 Moorpark
  • Knight at #4 Burbank
  • Loma Linda Academy at #3 El Dorado
  • Whittier Christian at #14 Ontario
  • Westlake at #11 Hesperia Christian
  • Hesperia at #6 Long Beach Wilson
  • Walnut at #7 Pasadena Poly
  • Shalhevet at #10 Bolsa Grande
  • Silverado at #15 Holy Martyrs
  • St. Genevieve at #2 Marina

Division 5

  • St. Paul at #1 Tesoro
  • Lakewood at #16 Sunny Hills
  • Milken at #9 Bishop Diego
  • Fullerton at #8 Twentynine Palms
  • Temescal Canyon at #5 Fountain Valley
  • Torrance at #12 St. Pius X-St. Monica Academy
  • Vistamar at #3 AGBU
  • Indian Springs at #14 Nogales
  • Ridgecrest Burroughs at #11 Chaffey
  • Coastal Christian at #6 Barstow
  • La Palma Kennedy at #7 San Jacinto Leadership Academy
  • Long Beach Poly at #10 St. Mary’s Academy
  • Garden Grove at #15 Kaiser
  • Cajon at #2 Paloma Valley

Division 8

  • Excelsior Charter at #1 Cobalt
  • Yucca Valley at #16 Laguna Blanca
  • University Prep at #9 Anaheim
  • Elsinore at #8 Norwalk
  • Orange at #5 California Military
  • Banning at #12 Coachella Valley
  • Duarte at #13 Riverside Notre Dame
  • Santa Barbara Providence at #4 Santa Ana Valley
  • Mesa Grande at #3 EF Academy
  • Compton Early College at #14 Schurr
  • Packinghouse Christian at #11 South El Monte
  • Edgewood at #6 CAMS
  • Anza Hamilton at #7 Victor Valley
  • Samueli Academy at #10 Chadwick
  • Westminster at #15 Santa Monica Pacifica Christian
  • Desert Chapel at #2 Riverside North

Division 9

  • Southwestern Academy at #1 NOVA Academy Early College
  • Eisenhower at #16 Vista del Lago
  • Saddleback at #9 Victor Valley Christian
  • Webb at #8 Santa Clarita Christian
  • Riverside Bethel Christian at #5 Channel Islands
  • La Puente at #12 Jurupa Hills
  • Desert Hot Springs at #13 Glendale Adventist
  • San Luis Obispo Classical at #4 Temple City
  • La Sierra at #3 Cate
  • Faith Baptist at #14 Arroyo
  • Miller at #11 Newport Christian
  • Ganesha at #6 Redlands Adventist
  • Lakeview Academy at #7 San Gabriel
  • Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian at #10 Sierra Vista
  • Santa Maria Valley Christian at #15 Rancho Alamitos
  • Western at #2 Avalon

https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2026-02-07/high-school-basketball-southern-section-playoff-pairings

Lynx rule out Napheesa Collier for WNBA semifinals Game 4 vs. Mercury

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Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier will miss Sunday’s Game 4 against the Phoenix Mercury due to a left ankle injury, the Lynx announced Saturday.

Collier suffered the injury with less than 30 seconds remaining in Minnesota’s 84-76 loss in Game 3. The injury occurred during a consequential sequence that also led to Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve being suspended for Sunday’s contest. Collier appeared to roll her ankle late in the game as she fell to the ground following a steal by Mercury star Alyssa Thomas. She left the game with 21.8 seconds remaining and needed assistance heading to the locker room.

Coach Reeve said afterward that Collier probably has a fracture, though the team has not provided further details about the severity of her injury. This is a significant setback, as Collier missed more than three weeks earlier this season due to a right ankle injury. Minnesota went 5-2 in her absence.

Trailing the best-of-5 series 2-1, the Lynx will have to win Game 4 without their star forward and their head coach on the sideline. The WNBA announced Saturday that Reeve will be suspended for Game 4 due to her conduct and comments during and following Minnesota’s defeat.

The league cited several reasons for the suspension, including Reeve aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon her ejection with 21.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court, and controversial remarks during a post-game press conference.

Lynx lead assistant Eric Thibault is expected to assume Reeve’s role on Sunday.

In terms of lineup changes, reserve forward Jessica Shepard moved into Minnesota’s starting lineup for six of the seven games Collier missed this season, while forward Maria Kliundikova started once. Regardless of who starts, both players are expected to take on a more significant role in Sunday’s elimination game.

The top-seeded Lynx entered the semifinals hoping to reach consecutive WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury have not made the WNBA Finals since 2021.

The series and Minnesota’s playoff hopes now hinge on their ability to overcome these key absences and pull out a victory in Game 4.

—

*Minnesota Lynx | Phoenix Mercury | WNBA 2025*
*Provided by The Athletic Media Company*
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/lynx-rule-napheesa-collier-wnba-004605819.html

Super League: St Helens cut Leeds' lead to two points in tight play-off eliminator

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**Leeds 14-16 St Helens: A ‘Wide to West’ Moment for the Ages**

In a stunning turn of events, St Helens have snatched victory out of nowhere to win this eliminator 16-14 against Leeds. This thrilling result sets up a semi-final clash against Hull KR next week. Leeds were just seconds away from securing their first home win over St Helens since 2017.

—

**James Deighton, BBC Radio Leeds:**

“I cannot believe what I’ve seen. The Western Terrace has gone wild and the Rhinos fans are left open-mouthed. Shane Wright has scored the try and Leeds Rhinos’ Grand Final hopes are dashed after the hooter.”

—

**TRY: Leeds 14-16 St Helens – Shane Wright**

What a moment! Leeds conceded a penalty for offside on halfway. Jonny Lomax’s kick on the hooter allowed St Helens to regain a set of six. They kept the set alive using what can only be described as some sort of magic. Working the ball right, Harry Robertson just missed the line, so they shifted left, where Shane Wright touched down. Jon Bennison missed the conversion, but somehow, Saints have won!

—

**Leeds 14-12 St Helens – A Nail-Biting Finish**

Harry Robertson’s knock on sparked a huge roar around Headingley. Though St Helens were within two points, errors like this are costly with just over three minutes remaining.

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**TRY: Leeds 14-12 St Helens – Jon Bennison**

Jon Bennison showcased remarkable skill, channeling his inner Stretch Armstrong, twisting and turning with arms outstretched to ground the ball right on the line. Despite loud booing, Bennison converted his own try, bringing Saints to within two points. This set the stage for a dramatic finale after a relatively flat second half.

—

**TRY REVIEW Leeds 14-6 St Helens**

St Helens thought they had scored when Jon Bennison grounded the ball on the line. However, the try was disallowed on the field pending review for a possible double movement.

—

**Robbie Hunter-Paul, Former New Zealand International, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra**

“We’re entering the desperation stages for St Helens now. They have eight points to make up, and they need to start seizing any opportunities they get.”

—

**Leeds 14-6 St Helens**

Leeds’ Kallum Watkins knocked on—one of many knock-ons in this intense eliminator. With just over 10 minutes remaining, Leeds remained in control. St Helens needed something magical to turn the game around.

—

**Tensions Rise – Curtis Sironen and James McDonnell Clash**

St Helens’ Curtis Sironen and James McDonnell were involved in a heated exchange, with some off-the-ball incidents. Replays showed Sironen putting a hand in McDonnell’s face while McDonnell responded with an elbow. The referee intervened, calling both captains over to calm the game down.

—

**Alan Hunte, Ex-Great Britain Winger, BBC Radio Merseyside**

“Although an eight-point margin isn’t massive, the effectiveness of the Saints’ attack makes it feel bigger. They have struggled to break through this Leeds defence, which has been aggressive, well-structured, and resilient even when scrambling with last-ditch tackles.”

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**Post-Match Thoughts**

To be honest, Hull KR boss Willie Peters might not be too concerned about facing either Leeds or St Helens next week. Aside from James McDonnell’s try, the game lacked quality.

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**PENALTY: Leeds 14-6 St Helens – Jake Connor**

Leeds opted to take the two points, and Jake Connor calmly slotted the penalty right in front of the posts. This put Leeds in a strong position, but with around 15 minutes left, St Helens still had time to score twice. Based on what we have seen, it remained uncertain whether they could pull it off.

—

What a game! St Helens’ last-gasp victory will be remembered as one of those unforgettable moments in rugby league history.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/live/c62q9gg2n66t?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D