Centennial Girls Basketball Defeats Moreno Valley 60-52 in Playoffs

In an exciting CIF State Division I second-round game, the Centennial Huskies overcame a slow start to secure a 60-52 victory against the Moreno Valley Vikings in Corona on March 5, 2026. The win propels Centennial to the regional semifinals, where they will face top-seeded Mater Dei.

The match began with the Vikings establishing an early lead, jumping ahead by 10-1 within the first few minutes. Despite their fast start, Moreno Valley struggled to maintain momentum. The Huskies, facing a nine-point deficit at one point, managed to rally back by the end of the second quarter, transforming their game with a series of successful shots.

Centennial’s head coach, Matt Tumambing, expressed his confusion regarding the team’s slow starts at home. “For some reason, we always seem to start slow when we’re at home,” he noted. A timeout provided a turning point, as the players adjusted their strategy, leading to a surge in performance.

The Vikings initially dominated the game, with Hasina Williams completing a three-point play that contributed to their early lead. As the first half progressed, the momentum shifted. Centennial’s Sydney Douglas began to find her rhythm, scoring crucial points to help level the game at 17-17 before the half ended with the Huskies leading 30-23.

“I think a sense of urgency finally kicked in for us,” said Cydnee Bryant, who recorded her 21st double-double with 12 points and 18 rebounds. The team’s confidence grew, and they executed a decisive 30-9 run that extended their lead.

Despite a late push from Moreno Valley, which narrowed the gap to 46-39, Centennial responded with strong shooting from the perimeter. Douglas finished the game with 20 points, leading her team in scoring. Armanyie Reed contributed 13 points and 9 assists, while Keleesa Howard added 10 points to the scoreboard.

Moreno Valley’s Alaysha Mills also played a notable game, scoring 20 points along with 9 rebounds, while Williams added 9 points.

The Huskies will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to face Mater Dei in the next round, aiming to continue their playoff journey.

In contrast, the Centennial boys’ basketball team faced a different outcome in their state playoff game against Crean Lutheran. After a promising start, leading by nine points at halftime, they fell short with a final score of 71-66. The boys’ team struggled defensively in the second half, allowing Crean Lutheran to stage a comeback.

Coach Josh Giles highlighted the need for improvement in situational awareness, noting, “We had a colossal defensive breakdown throughout that third quarter.” The performance of both teams highlights the challenges and triumphs of postseason basketball, as players and coaches navigate the highs and lows of competitive play.