With CIF-SS playoff brackets being released next month and the second half of league play beginning for many teams next week, there is still plenty to be determined between now and Feb. 12.
Here is a league-by-league look at the most important games remaining on the schedule, along with the player to keep an eye on down the stretch.
ACADEMY LEAGUE
Game to watch: Sage Hill at Oxford Academy, Feb. 2
The Patriots currently sit atop the league standings, largely, because they edged out the Lightning, 41-40, earlier this month. With Sage Hill just a game back in the league race, the rematch very well could determine whether or not there will be co-champs in the Academy League.
Player to watch: Austyn Masuno, Oxford Academy
The 6-foot-2 sophomore center is a walking double-double. In averaging 19.6 points and 12.6 rebounds a night, Masuno is top-three in Orange County in both statistical categories.
CRESTVIEW LEAGUE
Game to watch: Esperanza at Brea Olinda, Jan. 24
The fourth-ranked Ladycats are the favorite until someone can knock them off. At 18-1 overall and winners of 15 in a row, the Aztecs appear to have the best shot this season. Esperanza and Brea played all the way back on Dec. 3 in the Ladycat Classic, with Brea claiming a 50-45 win. How will Esperanza fare in round two?
Player to watch: Samantha Fries, Esperanza
The sophomore forward leads the league in scoring at nearly 16 points per game. She will also draw the toughest assignment against Brea, having to guard junior Tyione Watkins.
EMPKIRE LEAGUE
Game to watch: Kennedy at Tustin, Jan. 20
The Tillers and Fighting Irish enter Friday night’s showdown each boasting a 3-0 league record, meaning the winner establishes itself as the favorite when the second round of league play kicks off. These two teams play again on Feb. 7.
Player to watch: Katelyn Bomar, Kennedy
Being the focal point of the Fighting Irish offense, the junior forward will continue to be depended on moving forward. Bomar is the league’s leading scorer at 15.5 points per game. Tustin counters with the league’s No. 2, 3 and 4 scorers in Caylee Hermanson, Lilly Ballestero and Devyn Barner.
FREEWAY LEAGUE
Game to watch: Sonora at Troy, Jan 20
The Warriors CIF-SS record-breaking league winning streak is in the 200’s now, and the only team capable of threatening their reign atop the league standings this season would be Sonora. The Raiders and Warriors will meet twice over the next three weeks, with Friday night’s matchup serving as a barometer of sorts answering the question: How far off is Sonora?
Player to watch: Kianna Smith, Troy
The county’s lone McDonald’s All-American has consistently proven why she’s regarded as the best player in the area, averaging 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals a game this season. Alongside senior forward Naomi Hunt, the Warriors trot out the most potent one-two scoring punch there is around.
GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE
Game to watch: Bolsa Grande at Garden Grove, Jan. 20
The Argonauts have won their first three league contest with relative ease, scoring victories by an average margin of 13 points per. In having a reliable inside-outside scoring tandem in Ve’a Gauta and Kayla Castaneda, Garden Grove boasts two of the top scorers in league. Bolsa currently sits in second place in league and has won six of its last seven.
Player to watch: Ve’a Gauta, Garden Grove
She has been a force when on the court, averaging 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks per game.
GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE
Game to watch: Westminster at Segerstrom, Jan. 27
The Jaguars have a three-game stretch in league where they will take on Santa Ana, Ocean View and Westminster, the three teams tied for second-place in league with 2-1 marks. As one of the county’s highest scoring teams (62.4 points per game), Segerstrom has jockeyed ahead of the pack with a 3-0 start in league. If they can get past these next 10 days unscathed, a perfect league clip is likely.
Player to watch: Tati Zazuetta, Segerstrom
The sophomore guard has started league play on fire and is averaging 23.3 points in her first three outings. Against Loara on Tuesday, she scored 29 points, tallied 10 assists and finished with five steals.
NORTH HILLS LEAGUE
Game to watch: Canyon at Villa Park, Jan. 27
The Comanches seem to be trending in the right direction, knocking off El Dorado in overtime last Friday, 57-56. They followed that up with a 15-point victory over Yorba Linda in the league opener. As the lone team in the North Hills League with a winning record (10-8), Canyon has to be considered the favorite to finish first.
Player to watch: Taryn Uyematsu, Canyon
The sophomore guard can light it up from beyond the arc when given the opportunity to do so. Uyematsu has four games in which she’s drained four or more 3-pointers this season.
ORANGE LEAGUE
Game to watch: Magnolia at Savanna, Feb. 6
The Rebels are the overwhelming favorites, having already won twice as many games (14) as any other team in league. Savanna won their first three league games by an average margin of 38 points.
Player to watch: Tyriah Hudson, Savanna
She’s posted two double-doubles in three league outings thus far. Against Katella, Hudson scored 21 points and grabbed 21 boards. She put 16 point and 14 rebounds against Anaheim.
ORANGE COAST LEAGUE
Game to watch: Godinez at Costa Mesa, Feb. 2
The Grizzlies and Mustangs each entered the week unbeaten in league, with Godinez having reeled off eight straight wins dating back to mid-December. The Grizzlies also happen to be the only team in league with a winning record (11-5).
Player to watch: Nancy Enriquez, Godinez
The junior shooting guard is the only Grizzlies player averaging in double-figures, scoring 16 points per game.
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE
Game to watch: Irvine at University, Jan. 24
Having already topped its win-total from last season (7), the Vaqueros have been one of the better surprises in the county this season. Lyneya Turner, Kaitlyn Luu and Grayce Tuttle are all averaging double-figures for Irvine, who currently sits atop the league standings with University.
Player to watch: Lyneya Turner, Irvine
In addition to leading Irvine in scoring at 12.1 points per game, Turners is also pulling down 9.5 rebounds a game.
SAN JOAQUIN LEAGUE
Game to watch: Orangewood Academy at Fairmont Prep, Jan. 26
These small-school foes have developed one of the county’s better rivalries in recent memory. After hitting a bit of a midseason slump, the Huskies should be out of their funk by the time the Spartans come to campus. If Orangewood can play like it did in its 19-point win over Brea Olinda, this could wind up being one of the best games of the season.
Player to watch: Cierra Hall, Fairmont Prep
Hall may have the top motor in the county, a relentless rebounder who can score from inside and out. Averaging close to 17 points per game, she’s been Fairmont Prep’s most reliable weapon.
SEA VIEW LEAGUE
Game to watch: Trabuco Hills at Dana Hills, Jan. 23
The Dolphins and Mustangs split last year’s two meetings, with each side winning on the road. Protecting the home court will be the focus for Dana Hills on Monday when Trabuco Hills comes to campus. The winner of that game grabs an inside track to the league title with the second round of meetings yet to start.
Player to watch: Peyton Romo, Dana Hills
The Dolphins junior guard injured her left hand early in the fourth quarter against Laguna Hills on Tuesday, but still managed to finish with a team-high 17 points. Capable of knocking it down from distance or taking it to the rack, Romo’s versatility has been key in Dana’s 11-game win streak.
SOUTH COAST LEAGUE
Game to watch: Aliso Niguel at San Clemente, Jan. 26
The Wolverines topped the Tritons by seven late last week, and a road victory would all but seal the South Coast League championship. A San Clemente victory makes a co-champion scenario extremely plausible, though.
Player to watch: Madelyn Brauer, Aliso Niguel
Aliso’s junior point guard reads the game extremely well and understands when to look to create for herself and when to spread the ball to a court-full of capable scorers.
SUNSET LEAGUE
Game to watch: Huntington Beach at Los Alamitos, Jan. 19
The Oilers were the lone club that gave the Griffins any sort of challenge in the first round of league play. Having a reliable, veteran scoring tandem in seniors Frankie Wade-Sanchez and Kaylyn Nakaji, Huntington Beach will be competitive in any game it suits up for. But will they be able to get it done on the road against Los Al’s Cailyn Crocker and Co.?
Player to watch: Asia Avinger, Los Alamitos
The freshman point guard missed six straight games earlier this month due to injury, but returned to the court on Tuesday and scored 16 points, dished out five assists and grabbed five rebounds against Edison. A healthy Avinger makes life easier on Crocker, who can then play off the ball more and isn’t relied upon as heavily.
TRINITY LEAGUE
Game to watch: Orange Lutheran at Mater Dei, Jan. 24
The Monarchs 15-point win over Rosary last week was not indicative of how close and competitive that game really was, and Coach Kevin Kiernan acknowledged the days of blowout league victories are over (for now). With Orange Lutheran knocking off Rosary to put itself atop the league standings with Mater Dei, Tuesday night’s game will give us a chance to see whether or not Orange Lutheran has a shot at knocking off the county’s perennial power.
Player to watch: Jayda Adams, Mater Dei
The Duke-bound senior guard brings it on both ends of the floor, but when her jump shot is falling, that’s when Mater Dei looks like it’s on another level.
