CIF playoffs: Six local teams vie in three sports

Barry Faulkner

Two Newport-Mesa District girls teams continue postseason action,

while four others open competition in the CIF Southern Section playoffs

today and tonight in three sports.

In girls basketball: Pacific Coast League champion Corona del Mar (21-5)

hosts Rio Hondo League co-champion La Canada (20-6) in a Division III-AA

second-round clash at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Elbert Davis’ Sea Kings received a first-round bye Thursday, while

La Canada defeated visiting Banning, 67-44.

Estancia High (17-9) attempts to extend its eight-game winning streak

with a III-AA second-round road date at 7:30 at Ganesha (24-5).

Coach Paul Kirby’s Eagles routed South Pasadena, 65-35, in Thursday’s

first round, while Ganesha, the Valle Vista League champion, had a

first-round bye.

Tonight’s winners advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinals, where Costa Mesa

also awaits competition.

In girls soccer: PCL champion Corona del Mar (14-4-4), the No. 2 seed in

Division IV, opens its first postseason since 1992 with a 3 p.m. home

date against Orange Lutheran (8-7-3).

Coach Ron Davis’ squad is 7-0-2 during its current nine-game unbeaten

streak, which has included seven shutouts. CdM has outscored foes, 49-18.

Costa Mesa (8-3-8), the lone at-large entry in Division IV, visits Bishop

Montgomery (18-5-3) at 3 p.m.

Coach Dan Johnston’s Mustangs, in their first postseason ever, have nine

shutouts, have surrendered only one goal nine times, and have outscored

foes, 42-14.

Bishop Montgomery, champion of the Del Rey League, has posted 15 shutouts

and outscored foes, 63-20.

Today’s winners advance to Tuesday’s second round.

In girls water polo: Newport Harbor (20-7) begins defense of its Division

I crown with an 11 a.m. road game against Capistrano Valley (17-7) at

Saddleback College. The two teams have split two previous meetings, with

Capo Valley coming out on top, 9-4, the last time, Jan. 21.

CdM (16-11), a PCL tri-champion, visits Orange League champion Brea

Olinda at 11 a.m.

CdM thumped Katella, 16-2, in a wild card game Wednesday to advance.

Today’s winners move on to Tuesday’s quarterfinals.