Portola girls earn first trip to CIF playoffs with 37-24 victory over Woodbridge

Portola celebrates after a play last in a PCL game last week. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Portola’s girls basketball team, in its second year of varsity competition, clinched a CIF playoff berth with a 37-24 Pacific Coast League victory over Woodbridge Tuesday night at Portola.

The Bulldogs moved into a tie for second place in the PCL and ended Woodbridge’s hopes of earning share of the crown.

“We’re in and again, that was something our seniors really wanted to dedicate themselves to,” said Portola Coach Brian Barham. “I’m really excited for them, they really worked in the off-season as well.”

Allyson Tabayoyong scored 18 points and made five 3-pointers, and Moka Saiki scored seven points to lead Portola (16-8, 6-3).

Woodbridge (16-10, 6-3) was led by Maddie Yasui with eight points and Tiffany Nguyen with four points.

Portola was able to hold the Warriors’ leading scorer Erika Maggard to three points.

“We were trying to stop the best player in the league in Erika,” Barham said. “Five players played as one and really locking up a very special player.”