The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) NorCal boys and girls basketball quarterfinals took place on Thursday, and it was a day filled with intense competition and impressive performances. The quarterfinals saw some of the top high school teams from Northern California battle it out for a chance to advance to the next round. The results were nothing short of thrilling, with both boys and girls teams showcasing their skills and determination on the court.
In the boys’ quarterfinals, the top-seeded team, Archbishop Mitty, faced off against the eighth-seeded team, St. Patrick-St. Vincent. It was a close game throughout, with both teams trading baskets and playing tough defense. In the end, Archbishop Mitty emerged victorious with a final score of 65-60. Their star player, senior guard Marcus Greene, led the way with 22 points, while junior forward Owen Browne added 15 points and 10 rebounds. St. Patrick-St. Vincent put up a valiant effort, with senior guard Jalen Scott scoring 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Archbishop Mitty’s strong performance.
The second game of the boys’ quarterfinals featured the fourth-seeded team, Salesian, against the fifth-seeded team, Bellarmine College Prep. This game was a nail-biter, with both teams trading leads throughout the game. In the end, it was Salesian who came out on top with a final score of 68-65. Senior guard Shane Bell led the way for Salesian with 20 points, while junior guard Jaden Alexander added 18 points. Bellarmine College Prep’s senior guard, Ian Elam, put up an impressive 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win for his team.
On the girls’ side, the top-seeded team, Archbishop Mitty, faced off against the eighth-seeded team, St. Mary’s. Archbishop Mitty dominated the game from start to finish, with a final score of 72-45. Their star player, senior guard Hunter Hernandez, put on a show with 25 points, while junior forward Olivia Williams added 18 points and 10 rebounds. St. Mary’s fought hard, but they couldn’t keep up with Archbishop Mitty’s strong offense and suffocating defense.
The second game of the girls’ quarterfinals featured the third-seeded team, St. Ignatius, against the sixth-seeded team, St. Francis. This game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams playing tough defense and executing on offense. In the end, it was St. Ignatius who came out on top with a final score of 58-53. Senior guard Sydney Raggio led the way for St. Ignatius with 20 points, while junior guard Mia Mastrov added 15 points. St. Francis’ senior guard, Paige Uyehara, put up an impressive 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome St. Ignatius’ strong team effort.
The results from Thursday’s CIF NorCal boys and girls basketball quarterfinals were a testament to the talent and hard work of these high school teams. Each game was filled with excitement and showcased the determination and skill of these young athletes. As we move on to the next round, it’s clear that the competition will only get tougher and the stakes will be higher.
Congratulations to all the teams who advanced to the semifinals and good luck in the next round. To those who fell short, hold your heads high and be proud of all that you have accomplished this season. Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and you have inspired many with your performances on the court.
The CIF NorCal boys and girls basketball quarterfinals were a reminder of the power of sports to bring communities together and to showcase the best of high school athletics. We can’t wait to see what the semifinals have in store for us and we are confident that the teams will continue to impress us with their skills and determination. Let’s continue to support these young athletes and cheer them on as they chase their dreams on the court.
