Valencia girls basketball certainly enjoys success, but it prefers to keep a long-distance relationship with it.
The Vikings were named to the CIF-Southern Section Open Division Watch List, a group of 29 teams that show the most promise of making the section’s highest playoff grouping, and achieved a No. 10 ranking in Division 1AA. Sixteen Division 1AA teams were ranked in total.
“We don’t ever really talk about stuff like that,” said Valencia coach Jerry Mike. “We just get going with what’s at hand at practice, and I don’t say anything to them about it. I’m sure they know, but we don’t usually talk about it.”
The four-time defending Foothill League champions are coming off of a preleague that produced a 13-4 record and a Burroughs Magnolia Park Optimist Tournament title.
“We want to play a lot of high-caliber teams early so we can figure out where we need to be and for later on,” Mike said. “Especially if I have the team to do it. This team can play with just about anybody, and on a good day I think we can beat just about any team.”
Their league season begins tonight at home against West Ranch at 5 p.m.
“They’re excited,” said Mike. “I could tell with today’s practice. A lot of them, it’s their fourth trip through the league and I think they’re ready to defend (the title).”
Here are the full results of this week’s polls:
Boys hoops
No. 8 Saugus, Division 2A
No. 10 Trinity, Division 5A
Girls hoops
No. 10 Valencia, Division 1AA (Also included on CIF-SS Open Division Watch List)
No. 6 Trinity, Division 5A
No. 3 SCCS, Division 6
Boys soccer
No. 3 Valencia, Division 3
No. 4 Hart, Division 4
Girls soccer
No. 9 Hart, Division 1
Wrestling
No. 6 Valencia, Southern Division
