Savanna Rebels start fast against Warren, capture CIF Division 6 championship

Savanna players and coaches after winning CIF title Friday at Azusa Pacific University. (Photo courtesy John Luciano, For OC Sports Zone).

Savanna High School’s girls basketball team came out aggressive taking control early and went on to defeat Warren 46-25 in the CIF Division 6 championship game Friday afternoon at Azusa Pacific University. 

After losing in the semifinals in the last two seasons, the Rebels (18-13) claim the first CIF girls basketball championship in school history. Savanna used a smothering full court press defense and clutch shooting from the opening tip-off to stifle the Warren attack. The Rebels recorded seven 3-pointers in the game and forced 27 turnovers.  

Jazara Madrid led the Rebels with 16 points and Camaila Carigma scored 15 points. Madrid and Dyanna Cruz each had seven rebounds for Savanna. Aliyah led Warren with 10 points. 

“I’m so proud of our team; we played well together, said Madrid, who made seven of 13 shots in the game.“ 

“It’s a great way to go out as a senior, and end our high school career,” said Carigma, who had four assists and seven steals.  

The Rebels have won six consecutive games and 11 of their last 12 games. 

Savanna forced 19 first-half turnovers and shot 46.9 percent from the floor in the opening half, and led 17-5 after the first quarter and 34-12 at halftime. The Bears (21-10) shot only 27.8 percent from the field in the opening half and struggled to get into an offensive rhythm. Warren had won five consecutive games and 11 of its last 13 games entering Friday’s contest.  

“This was one of best performances of the year; I think we’re playing our best basketball of the season,” said Savanna Coach Ramez Mitchell, who is in his fifth year as head coach. “I’m proud of these girls to win the first championship in the school’s history. We had a tough early season schedule but these girls are battle tested. They applied great pressure, and they were super focused.”

Warren last captured a girls’ CIF basketball title in 2018. 

Both teams are headed to the CIF So Cal Regionals next week.

Notes:

—-Warren defeated Fontana, Silver Valley, Santa Fe, and Hillcrest to reach the finals while Savanna defeated Pilibos, Redlands, Palm Desert, and San Jacinto in its first four playoff games. 

—-The Rebels captured the Coast League title this season with a 6-2 mark while Warren won the Mid-Cities League with a perfect 10-0 league record.