Ontario Christian’s girls basketball team made history Saturday night, overcoming a late deficit to defeat Etiwanda 65-63 and secure the program’s first CIF Southern Section championship in 45 years. The thrilling Open Division title game, held at Toyota Arena, saw the top-seeded and No. 1 nationally ranked Knights (29-1) showcase their poise under pressure against a battle-tested Etiwanda squad.

It was a game filled with dramatic swings, clutch performances, and a defining moment from sophomore guard Kaleena Smith, who sealed the victory with go-ahead free throws in the final seconds.

A Battle of Powerhouses

Ontario Christian and Etiwanda came into the matchup as the top two teams in Southern California, with the potential to meet again in the CIF State Open Division playoffs. The Eagles, making their fourth consecutive Open Division final appearance, entered the game on a 21-game winning streak and were looking to defend their title. Ontario Christian, however, was determined to break through and claim its first championship since 1980.

Etiwanda jumped out to a fast 13-4 lead in the first quarter, but Ontario Christian responded to take a 29-27 halftime advantage. A dominant third quarter extended the Knights’ lead to 53-40, but Etiwanda roared back, taking a 63-59 lead with under two minutes to play.

Late-Game Heroics

With Etiwanda focused on double-teaming Smith, the Knights’ young core stepped up. Freshman standout Tati Griffin, who finished with a game-high 29 points and 12 rebounds, drained a crucial three-pointer to cut the deficit to 63-62 with 1:31 remaining.

The teams traded empty possessions before Smith drove to the basket and drew a foul with 17.6 seconds left. Despite controversy surrounding the call, she calmly sank both free throws to put Ontario Christian ahead 64-63. Etiwanda had a chance to reclaim the lead, but Aliyahna Morris missed a contested shot in the lane with 2.3 seconds remaining. The ball went out of bounds, and Smith hit one final free throw to secure the win.

A Historic Victory

The Knights overcame a tough shooting night from beyond the arc (4-of-19) by dominating the boards (39-25) and excelling at the free-throw line (17-of-19). In addition to Griffin’s stellar performance, freshman Sydney Douglas added 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Alanna Neale contributed seven points and 11 boards.

Etiwanda’s Morris led her team with 20 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Arynn Finley added 14 points, while Shaena Brew dished out 10 assists. However, the Eagles struggled to capitalize on their outside shooting advantage (10-of-23 from three-point range), ultimately falling short in the final moments.

Eyes on the State Title

With both teams expected to earn the top two seeds in the CIF State Open Division playoffs, a rematch in the SoCal regional final could be on the horizon. For now, Ontario Christian can savor a hard-fought victory and its long-awaited championship moment.

Game Photos

Photos taken by Anthony Sarinana