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ONTARIO — As Sage Hill interim girls basketball coach Jethro Julian anticipated the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs, he compared the challenge to scaling the highest mountain.
“It’s climbing Mount Everest,” he said with a chuckle.
With a collection of nationally-ranked teams, touted college prospects and proven winners, the Open Division offers its version of a daunting trek along with pockets of wonderment.
Sage Hill took the court Tuesday in the semifinals on arguably the steepest section of the Open Division: top-seeded and defending champion Ontario Christian.
The Lightning entered on a 22-game winning streak, focused on defense and led by a senior point guard worthy of a duel against the Knights’ star point guard.
Sage Hill appeared up to the task early but lost 86-54 after a blitz by Kaleena Smith and her up-tempo squad.
Considered the top junior in the nation, Smith scored 20 of her 33 points in the first half and finished with six steals, seven rebounds and five assists to lead Ontario Christian (31-1), ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps.
Ontario Christian will play Sierra Canyon in the Open Division final Saturday night at Toyota Arena.
The Knights also received 21 points from sophomore Tatianna Griffin, who displayed an outstanding mid-range attack. Freshman Chloe Jenkins added16 points and seven rebounds.
Sage Hill senior point guard Amalia Holguin scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Sophomore center Eve Fowler added 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
After the game, Ontario Christian honored Holguin’s determination as a protege of the late Kobe Bryant by presenting her with a mural of the Lakers star.
“Hats off to them. They’re a fantastic team,” Julian said of Ontario Christian. “They hit shots and we got to get better defensively. Everything is on me. I feel like I should have prepared (us) better. … It was the game plan (to slow them down). We tried to.”
“The girls played their hearts out. That’s all I could ask,” the coach added. “I want to run it back. This was a great experience, a great test for us.”
Sage Hill (27-5), ranked No. 16 in the nation, overcame nine turnovers against Ontario Christian’s full-court press in the first period to take a few early leads.
The Lightning trailed 18-14 after the first period and had Griffin on the bench with three fouls.
Ontario Christian opened its first double-digit lead in the middle of the second quarter on a 3-pointer by Dani Robinson off an assist by Smith.
The Knights led 44-30 at halftime and then closed the third period with a 15-5 run. Smith capped the surge with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“They’re well-coached and they execute,” Holguin said of Ontario Christian. “And they have great players. It’s kind of unstoppable but we’ll be back for state. Hopefully we can get back in the gym, fix some things, watch film and move on.”
Holguin praised Ontario Christian for its “high class” with the postgame ceremony.
“She’s one of the last Mamba girls to play,” Smith said of Holguin, who signed with the University of Texas. “I felt like she deserved it for the success that she has kept going for Kobe and just the way she’s grown over the years.”
The draw for the CIF Southern California Regional will be released Sunday.
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