Top-ranked Ontario Christian girls basketball team completes remarkable regular-season run by defeating Lynwood in featured game of Palisades Riptide Showcase

REDONDO BEACH – For a young group that has been in the spotlight and played in front of large crowds in big venues no matter where it has competed in California or anywhere else across the country, the top-ranked Ontario Christian girls basketball team still values the opportunity to make the most significant strides practicing in a gymnasium where few people are watching.

Ontario Christian will have plenty of time to reflect on its performance following a 77-50 victory in its regular-season finale Saturday night against Lynwood in the Palisades Riptide Showcase at Redondo Union High, with the Knights looking to benefit from two weeks of practice ahead of their CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoff opener.

Post-game interviews

Freshman Sydney Douglas had 12 points, 18 rebounds, five blocked shots and a pair of steals, with sophomore Kaleena Smith contributing 26 points and three steals for Ontario Christian (25-1), which secured its 11th consecutive victory entering the postseason.

The Knights withstood an early challenge against a physical Lynwood lineup, resulting in only a two-point advantage following the first quarter, before scoring 24 points in the second to extend the lead to 39-20 at halftime.

With Ontario Christian coach Aundre Cummings substituting frequently throughout the contest, the Knights were able to evaluate different lineups and rotations in preparation for the postseason.

Douglas, who only made two free throws in the first half, controlled the game at both ends of the court in the third for Ontario Christian, accumulating eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the quarter.

Smith, who had 15 first-half points, added eight in the final two minutes, including two of her four 3-point field goals for the contest.

Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian girls basketball | Photo courtesy of Ontario Christian

Alanna Neale, a senior, had nine points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals, with Dani Robinson contributing 12 points and five assists for the Knights, who scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Despite Tatianna Griffin fouling out early in the fourth, the freshman standout still had 10 points and five rebounds for Ontario Christian, which surpassed the 70-point mark for the 23rd time this season.

Skyy Simmons contributed 21 points and six rebounds for Lynwood (14-13), with Emma Iheanachor and Shanilah Ewing both scoring 10 points apiece, in addition to Lunden Edwards adding nine points for the Knights.

Ontario Christian was knocked off in Open Division pool play last season by Etiwanda, falling one victory shy of competing in another Southern Section championship game.

The Knights produced a 74-66 victory Nov. 23 against Etiwanda in the final of the Harvard-Westlake tournament, with the teams expected to be placed in separate pools in the upcoming Open Division playoffs, creating the opportunity for a potential rematch in the Feb. 28 or March 1 championship.

Ontario Christian won a Division 1-A title in 1980, but have lost in its past three Southern Section finals appearances in 2020, 2021 and 2022.