Acalanes awarded top seed in CIF-North Coast Section Open Division girls basketball playoffs, defending champion Cardinal Newman earns No. 4 seed

Since the introduction of the CIF-North Coast Section Open Division girls basketball playoffs in 2020, a different champion has been crowned each year.

That trend has the potential to continue this season, with Acalanes (27-1) and San Ramon Valley (25-3) earning the top two seeds and both receiving byes in the six-team Open Division playoffs, which start Thursday.

The semifinals are scheduled for Feb. 26, with the Open Division final held Feb. 28 or March 1.

Acalanes, led by seniors KK Lacanlale, Dulci Vail and Ariana Hallstrom, enters the postseason on a 15-game winning streak and hasn’t lost to a California opponent this season.

The top-seeded Dons suffered their lone setback in a 68-63 loss Jan. 3 against South Medford High from Oregon (16-4).

Acalanes has captured six section championships in program history, including the Division 2 title in 2022, but is pursuing its first Open Division crown.

San Ramon Valley, featuring sophomores Carly Stern and Ella Gunderson along with junior Alyssa Rudd and freshman Kaitlyn Mills, has reached the Open Division final the past three seasons and is still seeking its first title.

San Ramon Valley girls basketball team | Photo courtesy of San Ramon Valley

The No. 2 Wolves, who have won 11 in a row, secured the Division 1 crown in 2020.

Acalanes prevailed by a 72-57 margin Dec. 28 against San Ramon Valley to win the NCAA Premier Division championship at the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic at Canyon Hills High in San Diego.

Acalanes girls basketball team | Photo courtesy of Acalanes

Carondelet (23-5), which endured a 63-54 setback Saturday against San Ramon Valley in the East Bay Athletic League final, was awarded the No. 3 seed and plays at No. 6 Richmond Salesian (20-8).

The Cougars, highlighted by juniors Layla Dixon and Sophia Ross in addition to sophomore Janel Nevares, won the Open Division title in 2022.

Carondelet edged Salesian by a 66-65 margin Jan. 20, with seniors Janiya Sawyer, Jamia Sawyer and Vanessa Parilla leading the Pride, the 2023 Open Division champions and winner of last year’s Division 1 crown.

Cardinal Newman (24-3) produced a 61-55 victory against San Ramon Valley to win the Open Division title last year.

Cardinal Newman girls basketball team | Photo courtesy of Cardinal Newman

The Cardinals, led by senior Kate Schat, junior Valor Niginyalo and sophomore Macie Flores, grabbed the No. 4 seed and will put a 17-game winning streak on the line against No. 5 Piedmont (21-4).

The Highlanders won the Division 4 championship in 2023, their first title since capturing four in a row from 2003-06.

Briana Webb, a senior, and freshmen Andrea Martin and Jenelle Solis have helped Piedmont win seven in a row entering the postseason.

Clayton Valley Charter (21-7) secured the top seed in Division 1, in addition to a bye in the opening round, which begins Tuesday.

Justin-Siena (25-2) is the No. 1 seed in Division 2, also receiving a bye in the first round, which starts Wednesday.

St. Bernard’s of Eureka (27-1) captured the top seed in Division 3, plus an opening-round bye, with contests beginning Tuesday.

Encinal (17-8) is the No. 1 seed in Division 4 and grabbed a first-round bye, as the schedule commences Wednesday.

Cloverdale (12-12) captured the top seed in Division 5, also being awarded a bye in the opening round, with games being played Tuesday.

Ferndale (14-9) achieved the No. 1 seed in Division 6 and plays No. 8 Santa Rosa Victory Christian Academy (13-13) in the Feb. 22 quarterfinals.