It was an exciting first round for local teams that advanced to the postseason of the CIF Southern Section boys’ basketball playoffs, especially at the Murrieta Valley versus Linfield Christian game, which came down to the finals seconds. Nighthawks coach Brian Weathers returned to one of his previous head coaching stops before taking over at his high school alma mater. While Murrieta Valley fell to Linfield Christian 59-56, Weathers told media afterwards that he was proud of well the two teams competed.

Other local teams advancing to the second round included Vista Murrieta with their win over No. 11 Crespi, Temescal Canyon defeated Yorba Linda, the Liberty Bison kept their first-year playoff hopes alive with a convincing win over San Bernardino, and Temecula Prep, as well as Rancho Christian, will both play this upcoming Friday as well.

Here is a complete list of the firsmatchups and scores. (Games scheduled for 7 p.m. but subject to change)

DIVISION 1

No. 4 JSerra – 64, Great Oak – 53

DIVISION 2AA

Vista Murrieta – 55,  Crespi (No. 11) – 44

Linfield Christian (No. 1) – 59, Murrieta Valley – 56

Round 2

Oxnard – 62, Vista Murrieta – 51

Rancho Verde – 54, Linfield Christian – 49

Quarterfinal-round

Tesoro – 40, Rancho Verde – 37

DIVISION 2A

Rancho Christian (No. 1) – 59, Norco – 42

Round 2

Rancho Christian 76, Palm Desert – 40

Quarterfinal-round

Rancho Christian – 44, Aquinas – 41

Semifinal-round 

Rancho Christian vs. AGBU (2/17)

DIVISION 3A

Temescal Canyon (No. 5) – 55, Yorba Linda – 45

Valley Torah (No. 4) – 75, Murrieta Mesa – 59

Round 2

San Gabriel Academy – 53, Temescal Canyon – 45

DIVISION 4AA

Hacienda Heights – 59, Santa Rosa Academy – 55

DIVISION 4A

Yucca Valley – 71, Lakeside (No. 15) – 65

Liberty – 83, San Bernardino – 53

Round 2

Jordan – 76, Liberty – 69

DIVISION 5AA

Temecula Prep – 63, Calvary Chapel Downey – 24

Perris – 66, Loma Linda Academy – 49

Round 2

Don Bosco Tech 85, Temecula Prep 43

Hillcrest Christian 63, Perris 57

DIVISION 5A

San Gorgonio (No. 6) – 101, Cornerstone Christian – 44

Here is the remainder of the playoff calendar:

Second round: Friday. Feb. 10

Quarterfinals: Tuesday, Feb. 14

Semifinals: Friday, Feb. 17

Finals: Friday, Feb. 24 or Saturday, Feb. 25

JP Raineri
JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and head of the Sports Department for the Valley News. Over his time in the Temecula Valley, JP, a former Southwestern League head baseball coach, was also an on-air radio personality at Q103.3, KATY 101.3, Hot 103.9, and was a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When not covering local, or national sports, JP also serves as an Associate Baseball Scout with NSR.