The CIF Southern Section Open Division will take center stage with even brighter lights on Tuesday night. The other nine subsequent divisions (1-9) have their respective finals set, which means the only games in town will be the boys and girls Open semifinals.
Winners advance to the final set for Saturday night at Toyota Arena in Ontario. The games will be broadcast live on Spectrum. The boys’ game is at 6 p.m. and the girls’ at 8 p.m.
The boys Open Division semifinal will be of particular interest locally, especially because three of the four teams are in the Mission League. The San Fernando Valley might even see an All-Mission League Open Division final.
But not if La Mirada has anything to say about it. La Mirada has emerged as the Cinderella team of this 2026 postseason after knocking off St. John Bosco and stunning Redondo Union on Friday night on the road.
“I need everyone to keep picking against us. It’s working,” La Mirada coach Randy Oronoz said.
No. 7 Harvard-Westlake will host No. 12 La Mirada in what feels like a toss-up game. While Oronoz is riding the Cinderella wave, Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo isn’t quite getting the praise he deserves this season.
The Wolverines are 25-5 and finished third in the Mission League behind Sierra Canyon and Notre Dame. The roster is talented — without question — but did anyone think Harvard-Westlake would be one win away from another Open Division title game?
The star matchup (though they might not guard each other much) is Harvard-Westlake’s Joe Sterling (a Texas commit) versus La Mirada’s Gene Roebuck, a highly-touted junior forward who could be a 5-star prospect if he has a good summer.
SIERRA CANYON, NOTRE DAME TILT
This is the game that never happened. Now it is happening.
The two teams were supposed to square off on the last day of the regular season on Feb. 4, but due to a tragedy within the Sierra Canyon community, the Mission League tournament final was called off out of respect.
Twenty days later, here we are.
A Mission League champion won’t be crowned, but maybe unofficially. The chances to play for an Open Division title is on the line.
Sierra Canyon has gotten to this big game before in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. The Trailblazers won 2019 and 2020 with that star-studded roster that featured Cassius Stanley, Kenyon Martin Jr., Scotty Pippen and a young Amari Bailey.
Notre Dame would be making its second straight trip to the Open Division final after falling short to Eastvale Roosevelt in last year’s final 74-67.
Let’s not forget, Notre Dame had No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes last year and was expected to have his services this season, but he left for Rainier Beach in Seattle in early November. It’s been remarkable to see what coach Matt Sargeant has done with star junior NaVorro Bowman Jr. at the controls.
Sierra Canyon and Notre Dame did face off one time earlier this season in Chatsworth on Jan. 9. The Trailblazers prevailed 78-74 on ESPN2.
SIERRA CANYON GIRLS AT IT AGAIN
The Sierra Canyon girls basketball team took care of business in Open Division pool play, going 2-0 with wins over Corona Centennial and Oak Park. Now, the Trailblazers will take on a familiar foe in Etiwanda led by coach Stan Delus.
Sierra Canyon faced Etiwanda in the 2022 Open Division final and lost, 69-57. The two teams saw each other again in 2023 in the same game, but Sierra Canyon was able to win that rubber match 70-57 led by superstar Juju Watkins.
But Etiwanda got the Trailblazers again. In 2024, for a third straight time the teams met in the Open Division finals. Etiwanda won 65-44.
South Carolina commit Jerzy Robinson will be the best player on the floor Tuesday night, but can she lead her team to victory on the road?
GAME TIMES
BOYS OPEN DIVISION SEMIFINALS
La Mirada at Harvard-Westlake, Tuesday 7 p.m.
Notre Dame at Sierra Canyon, Tuesday 7 p.m.
GIRLS OPEN DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Sage Hill at Ontario Christian, Tuesday 7 p.m.
Sierra Canyon at Etiwanda, Tuesday 7 p.m.
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