PCL champion Woodbridge girls basketball team looks toward solid run in CIF playoffs

Woodbridge High’s girls basketball team with head coach Keith Clarkson. (Photo courtesy Woodbridge basketball).

Woodbridge High’s girls basketball team, which earlier in the week captured the outright Pacific Coast League title, completed an undefeated league season Thursday night, defeating Laguna Hills 56-24.

Teagan Burrus led the Warriors with 10 points. Hana Watanabe had eight points.

Woodbridge (21-4 overall) finished 12-0 in the PCL.

“This has been a very special year, I am very proud of what we have accomplished,” said Coach Keith Clarkson. “This is our first league title since 2017 in a very tough Pacific Coast league.

“Our defense, three-point shooting and balanced roster has been our best attributes. We have multiple players that can put up big numbers on any given night. We are also blessed with a nice balance of talented seniors with experience as well as some talented underclassmen.”

Burrus, a sophomore, has led the team in scoring averaging 13.5 points a game. She’s also averaged 7.5 rebounds.

Watanabe, also a sophomore, has averaged 12.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals. Senior Ashley Cheng has averaged 6.7 points and senior Ana Jensen 6.1 points, 4.2 assists and 3.6 steals a game.

The Warriors will now prepare for the start of the CIF playoffs next week.

“Last year we made a good run in the division 2AA playoffs and reached the quarterfinals,” Clarkson said. “I believe that because of our success last year, is why we were moved up a division for this year.

“We are currently ranked ninth in division 2A and this division is loaded with many very good teams. We can just hope for a favorable draw. If our defense continues to stay strong and we are able to knock down shots from the outside, I feel we can compete with anyone in this division. It will not be an easy path but I feel we have the talent to go deep in the playoffs.”

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com