Paloma Valley's Dale named CIF State Coach of the Year

Matt Dale (lower left) has been named CIF State Division III Coach of the Year. File photo

Paloma Valley High School girls basketball coach Matt Dale received the ultimate honor today with his selection as CIF State Division III Coach of the Year.

Dale, already honored as CIF Southern Section Coach of the Year, led the Wildcats to a 34-3 record this season. Paloma Valley went 13-1 in winning the Sunbelt League title, won the CIF Division 4AA championship, and won its first four games of the CIF State tournament. The Wildcats were scheduled to play in the state championship game before it was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a phone interview this afternoon, Dale said he had already received many messages of congratulations, including messages from co-workers at Paloma Valley and former colleagues at other schools.

“It’s great recognition for the school,” Dale said. “The first text I sent out was to my team. This is theirs.

“I’m the same coach who coached a six-win team two years ago. Players matter. This award is humbling and such an honor. It’s beyond anything I could’ve imagined when I started coaching at age 18.”

There’s no doubt that Dale had the players for such a magical run. Led by CIF-SS Player of the Year Mya Pierfax and All-CIF players Sydney Woodley and Trinitee Bradlee, the Wildcats displayed talent throughout the lineup. All but two of those players return for next season.

So what is the price of fame? Almost certainly a move up in divisions and a tougher schedule for a program that has now set the bar high.

It has already been determined that, through CIF-SS Raincross Conference reconfiguration, Paloma Valley will be moved into a tougher league for girls basketball. The Wildcats next season will compete in a reconfigured Ivy League with Valley View, JW North, Rancho Verde and Lakeside. In addition, both Dale and athletic director Ryan Sharp expect Paloma Valley to be moved from Division 4AA up to at least Division 3 for playoff purposes next season.

“My guess is they will be moved up to Division 3, maybe even Division 2,” Sharp said. “And how they seed for state depends on how they do in the Southern Section season. Who knows, they might be in Division 1.”

Dale said he looks forward to a nonleague schedule that will include tougher competition next season to prepare the Wildcats for a greater postseason challenge.

“If there was one negative said about us this year, it was people saying maybe our schedule was not that tough,” Dale said. “We want to put together a really competitive schedule next season. To a person, all the girls have said they are excited to get back to work and prepare for that challenge. We’re not resting on our accomplishments this year; we’re looking ahead.”

Sharp couldn't say enough about the accomplishments of Dale and his players.

"It's a huge honor," Sharp said. "We're all super proud of him. It just goes to show what I've been saying, that Paloma Valley is primed to be one of the premier sports programs in the Inland Empire. This is another step in that direction."