Girls basketball teams building toward a breakthrough in CIF-SS postseason
The Camarillo High girls basketball team is chasing a perfect record in the regular season, a 10th consecutive league championship and a top-tier ranking in CIF-Southern Section Division 1.
What follows could be the program's toughest challenge ever in postseason.
The Scorpions and standout senior Gabriela Jaquez check in at a perfect 20-0, including nonleague victories over respected foes Palisades, Westchester, Canyon and West Torrance. There are crushing victories over Buena (69-14) and Rio Mesa (65-29).
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Three Coastal Canyon League games were decided early. The Scorpions routed Oak Park 78-7, Royal 76-21 and Simi Valley 71-18.
All of which could set Camarillo up for a challenging playoffs in the upper-echelon CIF-SS Open Division. The Scorpions currently are ranked No. 6 in Division. The Open Division will feature eight entries.
"We're hoping we get a chance to compete in Division 1," says Camarillo head coach Mike Prewitt. "Open Division would certainly be a big challenge for us. Etiwanda is ranked No. 1 and that's a great team."
The Scorpions might be a handful for opponents at any level. Jaquez may be the best player in the Southern Section, averaging 33.0 points and 15.6 rebounds, and has a commitment to UCLA.
She's not alone among the Scorpions.
"We've got some pretty good players around her, too," said Prewitt.
Keilani Peralta, a 5-5 junior point guard, averages 9.1 points and has dished out 47 assists. The cast includes Emily Lim (7.2 points per game) and Anika Carey (6.4 points, 64 rebounds, 54 assists).
The league season likely features a milestone 10th successive league championship, including eight straight in the Coastal Canyon League.
Camarillo, of course, isn't the only area program chasing big goals in the regular season and Southern Section playoffs.
Oaks Christian, with a powerful 1-2 duo in 6-3 junior Omamoke Okah and ballyhooed freshman point guard Brooklyn Shamblin, is 12-2 overall, 2-0 in the Marmonte League and ranked No. 1 in CIF-SS Division 3A.
Westlake (11-5, 3-1 Marmonte League) reached the semifinals in CIF-SS Division 2A last spring, then surpassed that feat by winning the CIF-State SoCal Regional in Division 2A with a 50-47 victory over Oceanside-El Camino.
The Warriors' talented roster includes senior stars Mariah Elohim and London Gamble.
Pacifica is ranked No. 13 in Division 2AA, Moorpark is No. 12 in 3AA and La Reina stands at No. 7 in 4AA.
Here are the top storylines heading into the final month of the regular season:
Who's got next?
The last decade was a bonanza for area girls basketball teams, with area squads claiming eight Southern Section championships. Ventura was a dual titlist, winning crowns in 2014 and 2016.
There were also CIF-SS titles by Grace Brethren and Hueneme in 2018; Thousand Oaks in 2017; Newbury Park in 2016; Agoura in 2013; and Santa Clara in 2011.
Camarillo reached championship games in 2014 in 1A and 2016 in 2AA.
But there have been no finals appearances since 2018.
So who breaks through?
Camarillo and Oaks Christian would appear to have the best chances. Westlake is certainly a contender, though it now competes in Division 1. Pacific could surprise the field in 2AA.
Or is there a surprise team on the horizon?
Best of class
As usual, there is no shortage of top talent in the county.
Westlake's terrific duo is a problem for any foe. Elohim, a 5-9 shooting guard, averages 15.2 points, and has knocked down 31 3-pointers.
Gamble, a 5-8 senior combo guard, averages 14.9 points and has pulled down a team-best 123 rebounds.
Alanna Young of Newbury Park is No. 2 in the county in the scoring behind Jaquez, averaging 21.4 points.
She's got plenty of company, notably Amaya Fuentes of Ventura (19.4 points); Avanthika Ramasamy of Moorpark (17.4 points); Shamblin of Oaks Christian (16.9 points); and Faith Stockton of Santa Paula (15.6 points).
Rio Mesa's Amanda Hurt is yanking down 13.2 rebounds per game, followed closely by Kelly Barber of La Reina (11.6), Okah of Oaks Christian (10.7), and Jasmine Berry of Moorpark (10.3).
Rio Mesa's Alondra Alatorre is the county's top assists player at 7.1 per game. Ciara Gallagher of Oxnard averages 6.9 and Myla Scott of Pacifica turns out 6.5 per contest.
Race is on
A number of taut league races take the spotlight before the end of the regular season on Feb. 6.
Oaks Christian will try to fend off defending champion Westlake in the Marmonte League. Their first scheduled meeting has been rescheduled for Jan. 29.
The Pacific View League is shaping up as a battle among Ventura (12-6, 3-0), Oxnard (17-3, 2-0), Pacifica (8-7, 3-1) and Buena (4-7, 2-1).
Nobody will challenge Camarillo in the Coastal Canyon League, but Royal, Simi Valley and Moorpark will stage a spirited duel for second place.
Santa Paula (9-10, 3-0) looks like the favorite in the Citrus Coast League. St. Bonaventure (4-10, 1-0) and Santa Clara (6-13, 1-0) are the early leaders in the Tri-Valley League.
La Reina is off to a strong start at 10-3 overall and 2-0 in the Frontier League, but it will face heated competition for the league crown.
Foothill Tech is 3-0 in league (12-10 overall) and Thacher is 5-0 in league (6-3 overall).
Loren Ledin is the Prep Editor for The Star. He can be reached at loren.ledin@vcstar.com or 805-437-0285.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Girls basketball: Camarillo, Oaks Christian, Westlake are contenders
