Constant hard work, time and effort were all key factors for the varsity girls basketball team, which all payed off when they won Division II CIF’s and advanced to the state tournament.

To prepare for the championship game on Feb. 23, the team spent hours of their time each week practicing plays and watching film of their opponent, Grossmont High School. The game ended in a 64-42 final, with freshman Alexa Mikeska scoring 16 points in the first quarter. Three other players finished in double figures – freshman Ava Mikeska with 10 points, junior Kristen Young with 12 points and senior Ari Pagan with 18 points. Along with that, the team’s close bond helped them to perform at their best, leading them all the way to state.

“Before every game, the team would meet at lunch to go over our game plan and what play we want to run,” sophomore London Jarrard said. “The team would also hang out the night before every game.”

After winning CIF’s, the girls basketball team moved on to their first state game. They played against Crossroads High School and won 49-43. Pagan led the way with 20 points, going six for six from the free throw line. The team advanced to the second round of state, which is further than any girls basketball team in Lancer history.

“To win our first state game was so exciting,” Jarrard said. “To know that all the time and work we put in to practice during the season payed off was amazing, and it was even more incredible to know that we made history.”

Pagan finished the season first in the Avocado West in scoring. Here she averaged 16.0 points per game and shooting 43 percent. Although the team lost their second state game, the girls on the team grew closer together and made lasting memories. 

For freshman Alexa Mikeska, winning CIFs and going to state was a big accomplishment, and she hopes to bring her knowledge of the game next year so the team can do just as great, if not better.

“It felt really good to win, because I got to get that experience now as a freshman which will help to prepare for future years,” Mikeska said. “I’m going to try to apply my experience from this past year to next year.”