A look at the matchups for the local teams playing in the CIF-SS girls basketball semifinals today.
DIVISION 2AA
La Salle (28-3) at Redondo (17-11), 7 p.m.: The Lancers have advanced to the semifinals without breaking much of a sweat. They beat Canyon Country Canyon 53-36 in the quarterfinals behind Kaden Cortes’ team-high 18 points and Audrey Chen’s 12. They won by 29 and 15 points, respectively, in the first two rounds. They won the Division 3AA title last year and advanced to the Division III state championship game. The Sea Hawks went 10-0 in the Bay League and beat San Clemente 66-54 in the quarterfinals. They also lost a pair of nonleague games to Bishop Montgomery, one in overtime. La Salle split with Bishop Montgomery during Del Rey League play, so this should be a good one.
DIVISION 2A
Brentwood (25-6) at Keppel (25-6), 7 p.m.: The Aztecs will be playing their third consecutive playoff game at home, where they are tough to beat. Aztecs sophomore Jady Ly dominated in their 60-46 quarterfinal win over fourth-seed Portola, scoring 26 points to go with 14 rebounds, Annie Ye chipped in 16 points. Advancing to the title game, however, will be a tough chore. Brentwood is the top seed and a perennial power from the tough Gold Coast League, where they finished second to Windward. Northview had a formidable team this season and Brentwood hammered it 73-32 in the second round of the playoffs, then went on to beat Cypress 66-57 in the quarterfinals. Lev Feiman is Brentwood’s top player, averaging 13 points and eight rebounds.
DIVISION 3AA
Flintridge Prep (27-2) at El Dorado (21-8), 7 p.m.: The No. 2-seeded Wolves showed their talent goes beyond senior Ashley Chea when freshman Maddie Smith scored a game-high 23 points in a 61-44 quarterfinal win over Sunny Hills. Chea added 16 points in the victory. Now the Wolves will hit the road hoping to punch their ticket to the finals. The Hawks opened the playoffs routing No. 3-seed San Bernardino 71-22 and beat Murrieta Valley 48-39 to advance to Saturday’s game. The Hawks were battle tested in the Crestview League, which includes Brea Olinda and Esperanza. If the Wolves want to advance to the finals, Chea will likely need to be at her best to do it.
DIVISION 3A
Rancho Christian (23-6) at Cantwell Sacred Heart (18-8), 7 p.m.: How about them Cardinals? They opened the playoffs with a buzzer-beating 46-45 victory over No. 4-seeded Diamond Bar and have made it all the way to the semifinals. They survived another thriller in the quarterfinals, defeating Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 48-44. Laila Salazar leads the Eagles with 12 points a game, but it’s their defense that has kept in most games. Rancho Christian will be the Eagles’ toughest opponent by far. The top seed has routed their two playoff foes, beating Buena 91-58 and South Torrance 78-44.
DIVISION 5AA
St. Margaret’s (25-6) at South Hills (21-9), 7 p.m.: It’s been a tale of three seasons for the Huskies. They opened the season going 17-1, then went 2-8 in the Hacienda League, and got hot again after they earned an at-large berth to the playoffs. The Huskies routed Faith Baptist 72-33 in the second round, then defeated Pacifica of Garden Grove 45-39 to reach the semifinals. They have clinched a state playoff berth for the first time by getting to the semifinals. Audrey Gallegos leads them by averaging 11 points and 11 boards and MaryJane Contreras scored a team-high 20 points in their quarterfinal victory. They will face a tough opponent in the No. 1-seed Tartans, who have won each of their playoff games by double digits.
– Fred Robledo