TEMECULA—The Rancho Christian girls basketball team, representing the heart of Temecula, delivered a resounding 60-44 victory over Harvard-Westlake in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals on Saturday night. With this pivotal win, the Eagles not only secure their spot in the finals but also solidify their position as one of the top teams heading into the state playoffs.
Julia Wilson was, once again, the star of the show. The Gonzaga commit put on a clinic, scoring 29 points while dishing out seven assists and grabbing five rebounds. Wilson’s performance marked her third consecutive game contributing at least one-third of Rancho Christian’s total points. She continues to be an unstoppable force for the Eagles, a player who’s on-court intelligence and scoring ability make her nearly impossible to defend.
Teammate Ebony Taylor-Smith also came through in crucial moments. Taylor-Smith contributed 12 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the second quarter, and demonstrated defensive precision by recording three key steals.
Rancho Christian applied relentless defensive pressure, particularly inside the paint. Their ability to trap and double-team key Harvard-Westlake players proved decisive. Harvard-Westlake’s Bella Spencer, who led her team with 18 points, faced a tough challenge from Rancho Christian’s aggressive defense. While Deanna Thompson chipped in 14 points for the Wolverines and kept them within range early, the Eagles’ solid teamwork and focus in the second half enabled them to pull away.
Offensive rebounding was another factor in Rancho Christian’s success. The Eagles pulled down ten offensive boards, continuing a streak of at least ten in their last eight contests. These second-chance opportunities created pivotal moments in the game and allowed the Eagles to maintain their dominance throughout.
The Eagles’ performance was marked by another feat—they shot an incredible 12-for-12 from the free-throw line during the second half, adding to their commanding lead. This consistency under pressure is one of the attributes that has defined their season, and it will undoubtedly be a factor in their upcoming battle against Brentwood School in the title game.
Harvard-Westlake deserves recognition for their effort to stay in the game during the first half. Spencer displayed impressive skill with a euro step layup and jump shot in the second quarter, while Oyinkansola Iriafen created several opportunities through offensive rebounding. However, the depth and focus of Rancho Christian ultimately proved insurmountable for the Wolverines as they pulled their starters with 90 seconds remaining.
With this win, Rancho Christian now holds a stellar 25-8 record for the season, a testament to their consistency and talent. Their winning streak and ability to score at least 55 points in their last eight games will be crucial as they face Brentwood School in the CIF-SS Division 1 final this Friday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. This game will take place at the Toyota Arena in Ontario.
But the season doesn’t end there. Both Rancho Christian and Harvard-Westlake will advance to the CIF State playoffs, with matchups to be determined when the brackets are released on Sunday. Harvard-Westlake, despite the loss, has a strong State playoff pedigree and will look to regroup and make another deep run after their championship win last season.
For now, the eyes of Temecula are on the Eagles. With Wilson leading the charge, Taylor-Smith stepping up in key moments, and the entire team rallying around their shared goals, Rancho Christian has its sights set on finishing strong in both the CIF finals and the state playoffs.
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